Gael Monfils has kick-started his Rotterdam Open title defence with a convincing 6-3 6-2 victory over Joao Sousa on Wednesday to move into the last 16.

Having won the Open Sud de France in Montpellier last week, French star Monfils needed only 70 minutes to dispatch his Portuguese opponent, firing five aces and converting four break points.

The 33-year-old, who is looking to become the first player to win back-to-back Rotterdam titles since Sweden’s Robin Soderling in 2011, next faces compatriot Gilles Simon who beat Mikhail Kukushkin 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-3.

“It’s never easy to come back after a win,” Monfils said.

“But I have great memories from last year.”

In an all-Spanish showdown, Pablo Carreno Busta beat sixth seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-4) to qualify for the quarter-finals after a battle lasting nearly two-and-a-half hours.

Carreno Busta fired 11 aces and saved seven break points to advance at his higher-ranked compatriot’s expense.

Belgian fourth seed David Goffin battled back from a set down and saved two break points in the decider to beat local hope Robin Haase 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

Goffin will face Italian Jannik Sinner, who was awarded a walkover after his opponent Radu Albot withdrew.

Top seed Daniil Medvedev is in action later on Wednesday when he faces Canadian Vasek Pospisil in the first round.