Estrella Burgos remains in hunt to defend Quito crown

There were few surprises in Quito as round one of the Ecuador Open concluded on Tuesday.

Fifth seed and defending champion Victor Estrella Burgos defeated Argentine Guido Pella 6-4 6-4 in a match that lasted just over an hour and 15 minutes.

Statistically, the match was quite even as Estrella Burgos needed just two breaks to get the win, and it was on Pella's second serve that the Dominican pounced.

Hometown favourite Gonzalo Escobar was powerless against sixth-seeded Italian Paolo Lorenzi, who cruised past the Ecuadorian 6-1 6-2.

Lorenzi served up five aces on the road to victory, while Escobar managed five double faults on the clay.

Escobar did force Lorenzi to eight break points but was unable to convert one.

Albert Ramos-Vinolas needed a tie-break to seal a straight-sets win over Dusan Lajovic, winning 6-4 7-6 (9-7).

The Spanish seventh seed now plays unseeded American Rajeev Ram, who progressed to the next round with a 6-4 7-6 (8-6) win over Horacio Zeballos.

Qualifier Andrej Martin beat Spain's Marcel Granollers 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 to set up a second-round clash against Estrella Burgos, in what should prove a much more thorough examination of his quality.

Brazil's Joao Souza ensured a day full of straight-set wins when he overcame Facundo Arguello 6-3 7-6 (9-7) to move into the second round where he will face second seed Feliciano Lopez.