Robredo broke Alves three times and didn't face a break point.
Third-seeded Albert Montanes was not as fortunate, losing an all-Spanish first-rounder against Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-2. Ferrero, the world's top-ranked player in September 2003 and runner-up in Brazil in 2007, broke Montanes seven times, including twice in the decisive set.
Montanes dropped to 0-4 against Ferrero.
Fifth-seeded Jose Acasuso of Argentina, runner-up in Vina del Mar last week, beat countryman Juan Monaco 7-6 (3), 6-4, and seventh-seeded Nicolas Devilder of France advanced with a 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory over Brazilian qualifier Daniel Silva.
Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil beat Italian Potito Starace 6-3, 6-4, and Brazilian qualifier Caio Zampieri fell to Italy's Fabio Fognini 0-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2.
In other results, Vina del Mar semifinalist Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay rallied to beat Oscar Hernandez of Spain 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, Argentina's Brian Dabul advanced when Chile's Paul Capdeville retired with an abdominal strain after losing the first set, and Frederico Gil and Rui Machado won their openers.
Qualifier Lukasz Kubot of Poland was leading Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain 7-6 (7), 1-6, 3-0 when rain caused play to be suspended.
Robredo reaches second round in Brazil Open
Barcelona Are The Perfect Team For Me - Dani Alves
Capello Satisfied With Spain Test
Robredo reaches second round in Brazil Open
