ReutersVerdasco was no match for the world number five, with Ferrer imperious on his own serve and ruthless at taking his chances against his Davis Cup team-mate.
Second seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga faced a much tougher test, however, being pushed to three sets by Spanish journeyman Javier Marti.
Marti, ranked a lowly 171st in the world, thrilled the crowd by winning the opening set and breaking Tsonga in the second.
But the big-serving Frenchman dug in to break back and take the second set before closing out a 4-6 7-5 6-2 victory.
Third seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils eased past Spain's Albert Montanes 6-3 6-1, while former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero won the battle of the veterans against Russia's Igor Kunitsyn 6-4 7-6(2).
Spain's Marcel Granollers pulled off the biggest upset of the day, beating Ukrainian world number 16 Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3 6-4.
South Africa's Kevin Anderson also made it through to the second round with a 6-1 6-4 win over Slovakia's Martin Klizan, while American giant Sam Querrey beat Latvia's Ernests Gulbis 6-3 6-4.
