Simon stays hot with first-round victory

LYON, France, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Gilles Simon, coming off a runner-up finish in Madrid last week, advanced past the first round of the Lyon Grand Prix Wednesday in France.

Simon, the fourth seed who has climbed to No. 10 in the world rankings, defeated Juan Monaco 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

The second round got started Wednesday and fifth-seeded Tommy Robredo was ousted by Julien Benneteau 6-2, 6-2. Josselin Ouanna won a second-round match over Nicolas Lapentti 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

No. 7 seed Robin Soderling moved into the second round with a 6-4, 6-1 decision over qualifier Thierry Ascione and eighth-seeded Paul-Henri Mathieu defeated Guillermo Canas 6-3, 6-4.

Top-seeded Andy Roddick will be in action Thursday, taking on Robby Ginepri in a second-round match.