Newly-wed Roger Federer eased past Italian Andreas Seppi 6-4 6-4 to reach the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday.

The second-seeded Swiss appeared very relaxed on a sunbathed centre court at the Monte Carlo Country Club, clinching victory on his fourth match point after a final burst from Seppi.

Today, he will face compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka for a quarter-final spot after the 13th seed beat Martin Vassallo Arguello 2-6 7-5 6-2.

"I am very happy to have won my first match on clay. That was a pretty good match," Federer, runner-up in Monaco for the past three years, said.

Federer, who married his long-time girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec last weekend, broke in the ninth game and took the opening set with a backhand winner down the line.

Another stunning backhand winner earned him a break in the first game of the second set.

Seppi saved three match points on his serve in the ninth game and even earned a break point in the following as Federer was serving for the match.

The Swiss, however, dismissed it with an angled serve which Seppi returned wide and another long return gave Federer his fifth victory in as many matches against the Italian.

Other result: Nadal bt Chela 6-2 6-3.