Rome - Stanislas Wawrinka saved energy with an efficient effort to post a win into the second round of the Rome Masters 6-3, 6-4 over Russian Igor Kunitsyn on Monday.

The Swiss, who lost the title match a year ago to Novak Djokovic but earned a Top 10 place for his efforts on the clay of the Foro Italico, said he did what he needed to win.

"It was enough today to win, I'm very happy to play around an hour for two sets."

Wawrinka started his clay campaign with a Monte Carlo semi-final after putting out Roger Federer in the third round before losing to Djokovic.

Wawrinka was ambushed in the Barcelona third round last week by Radek Stepanek, but finds his confidence this spring going strong.

"It's a good sensation to be back, I started the clay court season well, and I'm very happy to be back at a great tournament.

"I'll try to play like last year," said the number 12.

Croatian Marin Cilic, the number 15, also earned a seeded win on a cloudy but dry day at the Foro Italico, beating Italy's Flavio Cipolla 6-2, 6-2.

Argentine Juan Monaco booked a second-round spot against British fourth seed Andy Murray with his defeat of German Nicolas Kiefer 6-2, 6-3 while Belgian Christophe Rochus slammed Juan Chela 6-1, 6-2 to next play Cilic.

The top eight seeds led by clay dominator Rafael Nadal, Federer and Djokovic, all have byes into the second round. (dpa)