Metz, France (SportsNetwork.com) - Former finalist Paul-Henri Mathieu notched a first-round victory Monday at the Moselle Open tennis event.
The veteran French crowd favorite snuck past German Benjamin Becker 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-3) in just under two hours on the indoor hardcourts at Metz Arena. There were no breaks of serve, as Mathieu cracked eight aces, while Becker popped seven in a losing effort.
The 32-year-old world No. 91 Mathieu was the runner-up in Metz in 2008.
Two-time winner Gilles Simon beat then reigning two-time champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in last year's all-French final. Tsonga is this week's top seed.
The 2014 Metz titlist will earn $100,000.
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