The second-seeded Spaniard was broken in the first game and lost the second. Serving in the third, Ferrer saved three break points before holding and winning the next 11 games.
Top-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France also advanced, hitting 11 aces to beat Thiago Alves of Brazil 6-4, 6-1.
"I have African blood and for me it is very important to be here and help improve the standard of the game here,'' said Tsonga, who reached the 2008 Australian Open final but lost to Novak Djokovic.
Also, Ivor Minar of the Czech Republic beat Kevin Anderson of South Africa 7-6 (4), 6-4; Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland defeated Flavio Cipolla of Italy 7-5, 1-6, 6-4; Frederico Gil of Portugal eliminated Daniel Koellerer of Austria 6-4, 6-0; and seventh-seeded Kristof Vliegen of Belgium beat Ross Hutchins of Britain 7-6 (3), 6-4.
Player Ratings: Racing Santander 1-2 Barcelona
Ferrer wins 12 straight games at SA Tennis Open
