Seventh seed Adrian Mannarino continued with his superb season by recording a first round win over fellow Frenchman Vincent Millot in the Moselle Open. The world number 39 took the battle of the lefties 6-2, 7-5 and will now face the winner of Nicolas Mahut and Fedrico Delbonis, fresh from the heartache of that deciding fifth rubber in the Davis Cup semifinal against Belgium.
Edouard Roger-Vasselin prevailed in the other of the all-French clashes against fellow qualifier Kenny De Schepper 6-4, 7-6, setting up yet another duel of French players against Gilles Simon in the second round.
Fernando Verdasco posted a well-worked win against youn gun Alexander Zverev in three sets and will now face big serving Gilles Muller in the next round.
Klizan, Pospisil and the older of the Zverev brothers, Mischa, will all live to fight another day in Metz.
