Benoit Paire suffers surprise early exit in Metz

20 September 2016 07:53

Vincent Millot shocked French compatriot Benoit Paire to reach the second round of the Moselle Open in Metz on Tuesday.

Millot, ranked 124 places below his opponent in the world, kept his cool despite being briefly broken back in the final set to emerge an impressive 6-4 6-3 winner over the seventh seed.

Earlier, Spain's Nicolas Almagro was surprised 6-4 6-7 (9/11) 6-3 by German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk, while another qualifier, Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, also advanced with a 5-7 7-5 6-2 win over Frenchman Gregoire Barrere.

Veteran Paul-Henri Mathieu was another home favourite to suffer defeat as the 34-year-old fell 6-4 6-2 to Germany's Dustin Brown, while Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez came from behind to beat Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia 5-7 6-2 6-1.

There was a major upset in the first round of the St Petersburg Open as qualifier Alexandre Sidorenko - who was born in the city but now represents France - beat sixth-seeded Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-5 6-2.

Sidorenko, ranked 223 places beneath his opponent at 255 in the world, was not fazed by the occasion and broke Ramos-Vinolas five times on his way to a convincing win.

Dusan Lajovic came from behind to beat Spain's Fernando Verdasco 2-6 6-3 6-2, while there were wins for Mischa Zverev and qualifier Daniil Medvedev over Paolo Lorenzi and wild card Alexander Bublik respectively.

Source: PA