Djokovic, the defending champion, beat Spaniard Albert Montanes 7-6 (7-5), 6-0 to advance to the third round. Djokovic, ranked third in the world, defeated Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in last year's Rome finale.
Fourth-seeded Andy Murray's second-round match with Juan Monaco and Marin Cilic's second-round contest against Christophe Rochus were both postponed until Wednesday due to rain/darkness.
In first-round action Tuesday, Spaniard Tommy Robredo eliminated Russian Marat Safin 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2. Safin was making his last appearance at this event, as he expects to retire from the ATP World Tour at the end of this season.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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