Rafael Nadal survived a second-set scare to beat Grigor Dimitrov in the second round of the Swiss Indoors Basel, while Stan Wawrinka continued a miserable record at the tournament on Wednesday.

Third seed Nadal needed over two hours to see off a plucky showing from the Bulgarian, eventually winning through 6-4 4-6 6-3 in Switzerland.

After taking the first set, the Spaniard almost fought back from 4-0 adrift in the second, but Dimitrov held on to force a decider.

However, 41 unforced errors from Dimitrov negated 28 winners and proved costly as Nadal rebounded to win in three sets.

Also in round two, David Goffin - seeded eighth - overcame Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-3.

Wawrinka was a faller in first-round action, though, as the Swiss let a one-set lead slip in front of his home fans as big-serving Ivo Karlovic won through 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.

Second seed Wawrinka had lost in the first round of the tournament seven times in his 11 previous visits, and failed to make it to round two for the fourth season running.

Fourth seed Kevin Anderson was in splendid form in his 6-3 6-2 win over Borna Coric. The South African won all of his first-serve points and hit 29 winners en route to round two.

Marin Cilic, a victor in Moscow last weekend, beat Basel native Marco Chiudinelli 6-3 7-6 (7-3), and Jack Sock was a 6-4 6-2 victor against Denis Kudla.

Rounding off the action, Teymuraz Gabashvili lasted the distance in a 7-5 4-6 6-4 win over Leonardo Mayer.