Coric, Sousa lose opening matches in Montpellier

MONTPELLIER, France — Two seeded players lost in the first round at the Open Sud de France on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) while local favorite Paul-Henri Mathieu advanced in straight sets.

Ruben Bemelmans upset sixth-seeded Joao Sousa 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 and Michael Berrer defeated No. 7 seed Borna Coric 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Mathieu saved all seven break points to beat teenager Elias Ymer, 6-1, 6-4 to set up an all-French second-round match with fourth-seeded Benoit Paire.

Also Jan-Lennard Struff beat Nicolas Mahut 6-3, 7-5 and qualifier Dustin Brown had a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Steve Darcis.