Nicolas Almagro and David Ferrer comprehensively outplayed Juergen Melzer and Andreas Haider-Maurer in the opening singles as holders Spain raced into a 2-0 lead at home to underdogs Austria in their Davis Cup tennis quarter-final.
As the four World Group ties got under way, including France against the U.S., Czech Republic against Serbia and Argentina against Croatia, Almagro thumped Melzer 6-2 6-2 6-4 and Ferrer thrashed Haider-Maurer 6-1 6-3 6-1 to put the hosts in command on the clay in a blustery Marina d'Or on the Spanish coast.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, leading the French charge against the Americans in Monte Carlo, put the 2010 finalists 1-0 ahead when he dispatched teenager Ryan Harrison 7-5 6-2 2-6 6-2, while Tomas Berdych secured the advantage for the Czechs with a 6-2 6-1 6-2 success against Serbia's Viktor Troicki in Prague.
Spain, who have won their last 22 home Davis Cup ties and are bidding for a fourth title in five years, appear to have far too much quality for Austria despite the absence of world number two Rafa Nadal.