Fifth seed David Ferrer is also safely into the second round after a 6-3 6-4 6-3 win over Belgium's Steve Darcis.
BBC: SPORT | Tennis | Nadal cruises into second round
2.
The 2010 champions reached the last eight on Saturday when Viktor Troicki and Nenad Zimonjic defeated Belgian pair Steve Darcis and Ruben Bemelmans in four sets 6-4 6-4 5-7 6-4.
CNN: Czech Republic win 7-hour Davis Cup doubles marathon
3.
Top seed Federer was taken all the way by Latvian Ernests Gulbis before going through 6-2 4-6 6-4, while Nadal had a simpler task to overcome Belgian Steve Darcis -- who retired while trailing 6-1 2-0.