Isner, Nalbandian take first-round wins

MONTPELLIER, France, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- John Isner and David Nalbandian notched first-round wins Tuesday at the Sud de France Open tennis tournament.

The sixth-seeded Isner had 10 aces and lost only 10 points in 10 service games in stopping Benoit Paire 7-5, 6-2. He was able to finish off three of the nine break-point chances he had.

The aces gave Isner an ATP-leading 972 for the year.

Nalbandian, seeded eighth, defeated Marcel Granollers 6-4, 6-4 behind a pair of service breaks in each set. He had five aces but also five double faults and won only a third of his second-serve points but still advanced.

Taylor Dent was 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4 winner over Romain Jouan and Michael Llodra advanced when Olivier Rochus, who was ahead 3-2, withdrew due to injury.

In Tuesday's other matches, Mischa Zverev edged Robin Haase 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5); Adrian Mannarino got past Lukas Lacko 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4; and Steve Darcis defeated Eduardo Schwank 6-2, 7-5. All three of those winners are tournament qualifiers.