Michael Llodra loses in first round of Open Sud de France

French player Marc Gicquel advanced to the second round of the Open Sud de France after beating countryman Michael Llodra 6-4, 7-6 (4).

Llodra had won their only previous meeting, five years ago in Lyon, but this time Gicquel was more clinical, converting two of his five break-point opportunities, whereas Llodra took only one of eight chances. Both players had six aces.

Gicquel next plays countryman Gilles Simon, who is seeded second.

In other first-round matches, Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin also advanced, winning 6-4, 7-5 against qualifier Marsel Ilhan of Turkey and next plays fourth-seeded Dmitry Tursunov of Russia.

Adrian Mannarino beat Vincent Millot 6-4, 6-4 in another all-French match.