David Ferrer claimed a straight sets win 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-1 over Marco Chiudinelli to leave the Davis Cup first round tie between defending champions Spain and Switzerland finely pointed after the opening day's singles matches.

Apart from one moment when he went a mini-break down at the start of the second set tiebreak, Spanish number one, Ferrer was rarely troubled by the Swiss number two.

The same could not be said of his teammate Nicholas Almagro, who lost a thrilling opening match in 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 to Stanislas Wawrinka as Spain got off to a terrible start in the tennis tournament for teams.

Almargo seemed to run out of steam after having his service broken in the 12th game of the fourth set and Swiss number one Wawrinka, leading his country in the absence of Roger Federer, was the stronger of the two in the final set.

Warrinka will partner Yves Allegro against Tommy Robredo and Marcel Granollers in Saturday’s doubles match with the two remaining singles to be disputed on Sunday.