Aug 28, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; Alexandre Muller of France hits to Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day one of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports/ File Photo
Seventh-seed Alexandre Muller won an all-French matchup with qualifier Antoine Escoffier in the first round of the Open Sud de France on Tuesday in Montpellier.
Muller, who did not record an ace, defeated Escoffier 7-6 (4), 6-3 in 1 hour and 38 minutes. Escoffier had eight aces, but also had more double faults, 7-4. Muller, ranked 71st, converted five of seven break-point opportunities in getting past his 172nd-ranked opponent. Muller will face American Michael Mmoh in the Round of 16.
Qualifier Pablo Llamas Ruiz of Spain won a battle with veteran Richard Gasquet of France, 7-6 (6), 7-5, while Canada's Denis Shapovalov cruised past France's Hugo Gaston 6-1, 6-3 in 1 hour, six minutes. Llamas Ruiz faces top seed Holger Rune of Denmark in the Round of 16.
In additional all-French matches in the Round of 32, Harold Mayot defeated Lucas Pouille 6-4, 7-5 and Gregoire Barrere outlasted Ugo Blanchet 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2. France's Arthur Cazaux eliminated Germany's Maximilian Marterer 6-1, 6-3.
--Field Level Media
