Alexander Zverev, Juan Martin del Potro untroubled in Mexican Open tennis

After Rafael Nadal withdrew through injury, Alexander Zverev and Juan Martin del Potro advanced at the Mexican Open.

Alexander Zverev and Juan Martin del Potro eased into the Mexican Open second round, while Kei Nishikori made an early exit on Tuesday.

Germany's Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning against US Steve Johnson during their Mexico ATP 500 Open men's singles tennis match in Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico on February 27, 2018. (AFP)

Zverev, the highest-ranked player in the draw after Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal due to injury, was too good for Mackenzie McDonald 6-3 7-5.

The German served seven aces and progressed in 80 minutes despite only converting two of 10 break points.

Zverev will face countryman Peter Gojowczyk, who cruised past wildcard Lucas Gomez 6-3 6-2, in the next round.

Sixth seed Del Potro made light work of Zverev’s brother Mischa, claiming a straightforward 6-1 6-2 victory.

Dominic Thiem, the 2016 champion, faced a stern test but the third seed eventually got past qualifier Cameron Norrie 6-3 5-7 7-5.

Thiem’s draw has been made slightly easier after Nishikori was beaten by Denis Shapovalov.

The Canadian teenager recorded a 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-1 win over Nishikori, who marked his ATP World Tour return with a run to the New York Open semi-finals this month.

That was just one of several upsets as defending champion Sam Querrey and fourth seed Jack Sock exited.

Querrey was stunned by Matthew Ebden 6-3 1-6 7-6 (7-5) and Sock went down to qualifier Ernesto Escobedo 7-5 7-6 (7-3).

Feliciano Lopez, who was due to face Nadal, made the most of an easier first-round clash, overcoming lucky loser Taro Daniel 4-6 6-3 6-4.

The Spaniard will next face Thanasi Kokkinakis after the Australian wildcard beat Alexander Bublik 6-4 6-3.

Hyeon Chung bested Donald Young 7-6 (7-5) 6-1, Adrian Mannarino downed Ricardas Berankis 7-5 6-1 and Diego Schwartzman defeated Fernando Verdasco 6-2 6-4, just days after overcoming the Spaniard in the Rio Open final.

At the Brasil Open, sixth seed Guido Pella battled past Corentin Moutet 4-6 6-1 6-2 and Tennys Sandgren was ousted by Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-0 6-4.

Guilherme Clezar, Nicolas Jarry, Horacio Zeballos, Nicolas Kicker and Sebastian Ofner also moved into the second round.