Santoro, Becker first-round losers at Metz

METZ, France, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Fifth-seeded Frenchman Fabrice Santoro and sixth-seeded German Benjamin Becker were first-round losers Tuesday at the Open de Moselle.

Santoro, a 36-year-old who plans to retire at the end of this season, lost to Belgian Christophe Rochus 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). Becker lost to Russian Evgeny Korolev 6-2, 6-3.

Eighth-seeded Croat Ivan Ljubicic, the 2005 champion, avoided an upset by rebounding to beat French qualifier Sebastien De Chaunac 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-1).

Also Tuesday, Frenchman Richard Gasquet defeated German Michael Berrer 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5); Frenchman Thierry Ascione beat countryman Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (7-5), 6-4; and Frenchman Marc Gicquel beat Swiss Roman Valent 6-3, 6-1.