Marcel Granollers will play Rafael Nadal in the second round of the Barcelona Open after defeating Daniel Munoz de la Nava 6-4 6-3.

World No.50 Granollers had 10 aces on his way to victory over his fellow Spaniard to set up the match against title favourite Nadal.

Second-seeded Kei Nishikori, the defending champion at the clay-court tournament, opens on Wednesday against Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands, who defeated Sweden’s Elias Ymer 6-4 6-7 (3) 6-3.

Fifth-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain fell to Russian qualifier Karen Khachanov 6-2 6-7 (4) 6-3 in the second round.

Nadal, who won the Monte Carlo Masters last week, is trying to win the Barcelona Open for the ninth time.

He has beaten Granollers in their three meetings.

Earlier on Tuesday, 11th-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine saved a match point and rallied to defeat Evgeny Donskoy of Russia 4-6 7-6 (9) 6-4 in the second round, while fellow Russian Mikhail Youzhny beat American Rajeev Ram 6-2 6-2 in a first-round match.