Italy began the defence of their Beach Tennis World Team Championships title in ominous fashion as they dropped just five games in a comprehensive second round win over Cyprus ©ITF

Italy began the defence of their Beach Tennis World Team Championships title in ominous fashion as they dropped just five games in a comprehensive second round win over Cyprus in Moscow today.

The 2017 champions are among the favourites for the title in the Russian capital and they showed why with a confident display in the three matches against Cyprus.

Flaminia Daina and Marco Garavini beat Andria Tsangaridou and Dean Georgiou 4-2, 4-1 in the mixed doubles encounter.

Michele Cappelletti and Luca Carli then guaranteed progression into the next round when they overcame Georgiou and Christos Voniatis 6-0, 6-2 in the men's doubles match.

Italy were in dominant form as they comfortably beat Cyprus ©ITF
Italy were in dominant form as they comfortably beat Cyprus ©ITF

A 3-0 whitewash was sealed by Federica Bacchetta and Giulia Gasparri, who thrashed Marianna Tsakkistou and Tsangaridou 6-0, 6-0.

Spain were among the other winners today as they beat Switzerland 2-0.

Action at the Russian capital's National Tennis Centre continues tomorrow.