It was the Serbian's first match since announcing a split with his entire coaching staff last week, but he appeared unfazed as he took the first set 6-1 at La Caja Mágica.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion, who is the reigning champion at this tournament, was then pegged back by Almagro, who took the second set 4-6 to force a decider.

Djokovic ultimately came through and claimed the decisive third 7-5 to set up a third round encounter with another Spaniard in Feliciano Lopez.

Lopez, ranked 38 in the world, beat Gilles Simon of France 6-3, 3-6, 7-6.

Rafael Nadal also advanced after he too was taken to three sets by Italian Fabio Fognini.

The Spaniard won 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 and will now meet Australia's Nick Kyrgios, who overcame Ryan Harrison of the United States 6-3, 6-3.

Canada's Milos Raonic was also successful today as he saw off Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 6-4, 6-4 while Kei Nishikori of Japan was forced to come from a set down to see of Diego Schwartzman of Argentina 1-6, 6-0, 6-4.

The women’s draw saw Romania’s Simona Halep, the defending champion, move into round four.

She avoided a scare yesterday after coming from 5-2 down in the final set to beat Roberta Vinci of Italy and was once again taken to three sets.

Halep claimed a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over Australian Samantha Stosur.

Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova was also victorious today after she dispatched Qiang Wang of China 6-4, 7-5.

Canada's Eugenie Bouchard also made it through after Germany's Angelique Kerber retired in the second set of their match.

The Canadian was 6-3, 5-0 up when Kerber, the world number two, ended the contest after picking up an injury.

Competition at the Women's Tennis Association and Association of Tennis Professionals Masters 1000 event continues tomorrow.