Tokyo: World No 5 David Ferrer pulverised Jesse Levine’s serve-and-volley game to launch his campaign to defend his Japan Open title on Wedneday.

It was a return to form for the top-seeded Spaniard scoring a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 victory over the 101st-ranked American in the second round.

Meanwhile, the 2003 champion Rainer Schuettler of Germany, the 12th seed, and 14th seed Jurgen Melzer of Austria join Ferrer in the third round. Schettler edged past Lee Hyung-Taik of South Korea 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, while Melzer whipped Simon Stadler of Germany 6-2, 6-3.