Fernando Verdasco rallied to narrowly defeat Daniel Koellerer 6-7 (7/1) 6-2 7-5 and advance in the Catella Swedish Open.

Verdasco recovered from a break down in the final set and then survived match point against him when he served at 4-5. Verdasco eventually broke Koellerer before serving out for victory.

There was no such hassle for fourth seed Jurgen Melzer, the Austrian who required just 57 minutes to dispatch Spanish qualifier Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-2 6-2.

Home favourite Andreas Vinciguerra continued his return from injury with an impressive 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-4 win over Argentinian qualifier Guillermo Canas.

Fifth seed Nicolas Almagro, a former finalist, recovered from a dreadful first set to beat qualifier Potito Starace 2-6 6-1 6-1, and will next meet Swedish second seed Robin Soderling.