MONTPELLIER, France(AP) Seventh-seeded Richard Gasquet of France rallied from a set and a break down Monday to beat Julian Reister of Germany 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of Open Sud de France.
Gasquet struggled to return serves in the first set, but recovered to wrap up the match with a backhand winner after 2 hours, 6 minutes. Gasquet will next play either Jarkko Nieminen or Florent Serra.
Gasquet served 11 aces and broke Reister four times, while the German converted only one of five break chances.
Frederico Gil of Portugal also advanced, beating Edouard-Roger Vasselin of France 6-4, 2-6, 7-5.
Both players struggled for consistency, losing serve four times apiece on the indoor hard court. Gil saved nine break points.
The 100th-ranked Gil, who lost his only career final this year to Albert Montanes of Spain on clay at Estoril, next plays France's second-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Frenchman had a bye into the second round.
The sixth-seeded Montanes was to play Arnaud Clement of France later Monday.