Paire Opens Marseille Campaign; Goffin Advances

Eighth seed Benoit Paire made a winning start to the French contingent’s campaign on Monday at the Open 13 Provence in Marseille. Paire, one of 10 Frenchmen in the singles draw, defeated Italian Simone Bolelli 6-4, 7-5 as he converted four of his 16 break point chances.

The World No. 22, who opened the season with a semi-final run in Chennai, snapped a four-match losing streak. He awaits a countryman in the second round: Nicolas Mahut, a semi-finalist last week in Rotterdam, or qualifier Vincent Millot.

Since 2006, there have been six French singles champions at this ATP World Tour 250 indoor tournament. Gilles Simon, the fifth seed this week, claimed the title in 2007 and ’15.

Belgian David Goffin, the No. 6 seed, rebounded from last week’s first-round exit in Rotterdam (l. to Baghdatis) as he defeated Korean Hyeon Chung 6-3, 6-1. 

Robin Haase notched his first match win in four tries at the Open 13 Provence, dismissing Joao Sousa 6-4, 6-0 in 63 minutes. The Dutchman will look to reach his first quarter-final of the season when he next meets No. 4 seed Marin Cilic.

Three Frenchmen – Julien Benneteau, Kenny De Schepper and Millot – and German Mischa Zverev all won in the final round of qualifying Monday. Mischa is in the same quarter of the draw as his younger brother, Sascha Zverev.