Gilles Simon beat David Goffin 6-3 6-3 in 93 minutes with four break points to reach the second round at the Moselle Open in Metz.
Simon drew level to 3-3 in his head-to-head matches against Goffin.
Simon broke twice in the fifth and ninth games to close out the first set 6-3. Goffin earned a break in the fifth game of the second set to take a 3-2 lead. Simon won four consecutive games with two breaks to close out the second set 6-3.
“We have known each other for a long time and I am always happy to play against David one more time before the end of my career. I was really not confident before the match because I know that he can play and I am never sure about the performance I am going to show on the court, but in the end I played a very good match and it was a very nice win”, said Simon.
The French veteran has claimed his 500th tour level win against Steve Johnson in the second round at Roland Garros last May. He is looking to extend his win-loss record to 22-9 when he faces a second round against Lorenzo Sonego.
Emil Ruusuvuori converted three of his seven break points to beat Czech Next Gen player Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-4. Ruusuvuori will face either Alexander Bublik or French qualifier Evan Furness.
Ruusuvuori broke serve in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. Lehecka broke straight back in the sixth game to draw level to 3-3. Ruusuvuori converted his third break point in the ninth game to seal the first set 6-4. The Finnish player earned a break in the third game at deuce to seal the second set 6-4.
Arthur Rinderknech edged past Jaume Munar 6-2 2-6 7-5 setting up a second round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili, who advanced after Zizou Bergs, who was forced to withdraw from his first round match due to an injury, as he was leading 6-4 2-1.
