ROME — Grigor Dimitrov opened his Rome Masters campaign with a 6-3 7-6(4) victory over Poland's Jerzy Janowicz on Monday.
The Bulgarian world number 11, beaten by Rafa Nadal in the quarter-finals in Madrid last week, earned the only service break of the match to edge into the second round where he will face home favourite Fabio Fognini or American Steve Johnson.
Big-serving South African Kevin Anderson also reached the second round, although he was stretched to the limit by Germany's Florian Mayer, winning in a deciding set tiebreak.
World number one Novak Djokovic tops the draw which also includes nine-times French Open champion Nadal, Roger Federer and Madrid Masters champion Andy Murray.