Cilic was in control throughout the match, hitting six aces and dropping serve only once. Brands wasted two break points for a 2-0 lead in the second set, and Cilic then won five games in a row.

'It was a bit easier that I had expected, since this was my first match on clay after a while. I felt I was in control the whole time,' Cilic said.

Cilic will face Wayne Odesnik after the American rallied to beat Slovenia's Blaz Kavcic 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3). Kavcic wasted a 5-1 lead in the third set and was later two points away from closing out the match at 5-4.

Matthias Bachinger of Germany downed seventh-seeded Martin Klizan of Sloavkia 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.

Later, Marcel Granollers of Spain defeated Italy's Potito Starace 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Cilic lost in last year's final to third seed Alexandr Dolgopolov with Spain's Fernando Verdasco the top seeded this time out.