Monfils takes first-round win at Open Sud de France

MONTPELLIER, France, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Two-time finalist Gael Monfils claimed a three-set win Wednesday that put him in the second round of the Open Sud de France.

The fifth-seeded Monfils won the tournament in 2010 and was the runner-up two years later. He took a step toward a third appearance in the finals with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 decision over Lukasz Kubot. There was one break in each set with Monfils getting his in the first and third sets.

He lost just seven points on serve in the third set and didn't allow Kubot a break opportunity in that set.

No. 6-seeded Jarkko Nieminen advanced when Aleksandr Nedovyesov retired with a right shoulder injury. The match was tied 4-6, 6-2, 4-4 when play was stopped.

Seventh-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin topped Michal Przysiezny 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 but Nikolay Davydenko ousted No. 8-seeded Julien Benneteau 7-6 (8-6), 7-5.

Also, Dustin Brown defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-1) and Joao Sousa took out Tobias Kamke 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.