No. 4 Ferrer beats Rochus in opener

Fourth-seeded David Ferrer defeated Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday. The 30-year-old Spaniard hit

No. 4 David Ferrer faces American Tim Smyczek in the second round :: Rob Griffith/AP

Fourth-seeded David Ferrer defeated Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday.

The 30-year-old Spaniard hit 30 winners and had a first-serve percentage of 71 percent. He also benefited from Rochus' 29 unforced errors.

Fresh from winning the title in Auckland last week, Ferrer has the No. 4 seeding in Melbourne because fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal opted not to play in the Australian Open due to illness and injury.