Winning return for Monfils

Gael Monfils: Winning return

Gael Monfils marked his return from a four-month injury absence by claiming a 6-3 6-2 win over Olivier Rochus in the first round of the Moselle Open in Metz.

Monfils, whose last appearance was also on home ground in Nice in May, dominated his veteran opponent, breaking twice in each set to record secured victory in 63 minutes.

Russian eighth seed Nikolay Davydenko also made it through to round two but only after surviving a gruelling three-setter against German qualifier Mischa Zverev, which he eventually won 6-2 3-6 6-3.

Elsewhere, big-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic beat French qualifier Kenny De Schepper 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-3).

But there was home success for Benoit Paire as he beat Belgium's Xavier Malisse 6-1 6-4 and two French qualifiers, Clement Reix and Vincent Millot, also won.

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