Paul-Henri Mathieu caused one of the biggest upsets at the Monte Carlo Masters earlier today by knocking Donald Young out of round one.
Despite being 307 places behind the American in the world rankings, Mathieu dropped just one game on his way to a 6-0 6-1 victory in Southern France.
"I was happy the way I was moving, and I was keeping the ball in the court," Mathieu said after the match. "I don't have the knees of a 20-year-old anymore. But I'm able to play 100 percent without any problems. Things are improving."
The Frenchman will now face Kei Nishikori of Japan or Spain's Albert Ramos in round two.
Elsewhere, young Australian Bernard Tomic moved into round two with a 6-4 6-3 win over Denis Istomin, while Fernando Verdasco fought back from a one-set deficit to knock out Olivier Rochus.
Guillaume Rufin's week was ended early thanks to a 6-4 6-4 loss to Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany and Radek Stepanek suffered a similar fate at the hands of Jarkko Nieminen.
The Finn will now face world number two Rafael Nadal in the next round.
In the final game of the day, Milos Raonic lost 6-2 3-6 6-3 to Albert Montanes.
Liam Apicella
