Federer survives scare

Despite taking the first set comfortably, Federer experienced real problems in the second, as the young Serbian taught the old master how not to rest on his laurels.

Some fine play saw Djokovic take the set 6-2, and with Federer visibly shaken by his opponent's impressive burst, the match went into a third and final set.

But Federer underlined his class in the decisive set, racing to a three game lead before Djokovic even bothered the scorekeepers.

And from there on in, it was classic Federer, which left no hope for Djokovic who eventually capitulated 6-2, but not before saving three match points.

Nevertheless, for the Swiss player, it was not the ideal preparation for the French Open - the only Grand Slam tournament to continue to elude him - which begins on May 28.

The result leaves Federer to contemplate a second round date with Alberto Martin, who had earlier defeated Ivo Karlovic in two sets.

On the Court des Princes, Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero crushed the challenge of Dimitry Tursunov in two quick-fire sets, whilst over on the Court Central Gaston Gaudio took little time to dispose of Tim Henman.

Ferrero, this year's number 11 seed, used all his experience to book a place in the second round, dropping just three games on his way to a comprehensive 6-1 6-2 victory.

He will meet Juan Ignacio Chela in the next round, after the Argentine disposed of Britain's Greg Rusedski 6-4 6-7 6-1.

Argentina's Gaudio took just under an hour and half to beat unseeded Henman with a solid performance which bodes well for the rest of this tournament, and indeed the trip to Roland Garros in Paris.

The seventh seed took an early lead in the first set as Henman could find no answer to the Argentine's play.

Gaudio took the first set 6-1 and continued to dominate the game in the second, cruising to a 5-2 lead, where he served for the match.

But Henman threatened to make a miraculous recovery, saving three match points to come back in the eighth game and de-break the Argentine.

Nevertheless, any hopes of a comeback proved false as Gaudio broke Henman once again to take the match 6-1 6-3 and go through to the second round where he will play Jose Acasuso.

Elsewhere at the Monte Carlo Country Club on the opening day of play, Tommy Robredo sealed his place in the second round with a relatively easy 6-3 6-4 victory over Luis Horna.

Nicolas Kiefer will meet Michaël Llodra of France in the next round after taking three sets to beat Max Mirnyi, whilst Alessio Di Mauro of Italy will play the Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek after respective victories over Stanislas Wawrinka and Evgueni Korolev.

Monte Carlo draw