PARIS, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Three-time champion Marat Safin of Russia led Monday's first-round winners at the $2.65 million Paris Masters.
Safin defeated Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-1, 7-6 (7-5). The two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 Safin captured this Masters event in 2000, 2002 and 2004 and was the runner-up in 1999. The Russian is now 22-2 in his career here.
Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu beat Italian qualifier Andreas Seppi 6-2, 6-4 and French qualifier Michael Llodra defeated Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
In other Monday action involving Frenchmen, Italian qualifier Daniele Bracciali beat Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-4 and Belgian Kristof Vliegen defeated Florent Serra 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).
This week's field does not include Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Australian Open champion Roger Federer or French Open winner Rafael Nadal.
