Monfils advances in Metz
Seventh-seeded Gael Monfils of France made a successful return after several months out with a knee injury, beating Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the Moselle Open in Metz on Tuesday.
It was the 26-year-old Monfils's first match since he lost to American player Brian Baker at the Open de Nice in May. The former Metz champion hit 21 aces as he won in a little more than an hour to set up a match against either countryman Nicolas Mahut or Daniel Brands of Germany.
Earlier, eighth-seeded Nikokaly Davydenko of Russia overcame a shaky start to beat Mischa Zverev of Germany 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Davydenko had his serve broken three times in the first set against Zverev, who hit seven aces in the match. Davydenko stepped things up in the second set and converted his three break points. He next plays either Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu or Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.
Also, Clement Reix beat Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in an all-French match and next meets defending champion and top-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
In other first-round play, Ivo Karlovic of Croatia won 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) against qualifier Kenny de Schepper, Vincent Millot of France beat Igor Sijsling 6-4, 6-4, and Frenchman Benoit Paire won 6-1, 6-4 against Xavier Malisse.
