Sixth-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain lost to Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 in the first round of the Brazil Open tennis tournament on Wednesday.

Mayer broke Ferrero twice in the second set and saved all five break points he faced to win the match in almost two hours at the Ibirapuera sporting complex.

The 24-year-old Mayer, ranked 80th in the world, also took advantage of 11 aces, including eight in the first set.

The 43rd-ranked Ferrero, No.1 in the world in 2003 after winning the French Open, has won only one match this season.

Earlier on Wednesday, eighth-seeded Albert Ramos of Spain ousted Santiago Giraldo 6-3 6-4, capitalising on his two break opportunities in the second set to beat the Colombian for the first time in three matches.

Italy’s Potito Starace defeated qualifier Paul Capdeville of Chile 5-7 7-6 (9-7) 6-2, while qualifier Jeremy Chardy of France beat Slovenia’s Blaz Kavcic 6-4 6-4, helped by eight aces.

South America’s biggest city is hosting the claycourt event for the first time after 11 editions in the northeastern city of Costa do Sauipe.