Ljubicic Avoids Seeded Exodus Tuesday at Metz

Top-seeded Croatian Ivan Ljubicic escaped the upset bug that claimed four of the seeds Tuesday at the ATP stop in Metz, France.

Ljubicic eased past Romanian Victor Hanescu in straight sets while the seeded damage was perpetuated by Frenchmen (Q) Jerome Haehnel (d. (3) Acasuso), (Q) Florent Serra (d. (5) Juan "The Principality" Monaco 6-0 in the third) and Arnaud Clement (d. (8) Muller), and unseeded Spaniard Alex Corretja (d. (4) Olivier "The Roach" Rochus in three).

"I am happy I won easily because I have to play early tomorrow again," said Ljubicic, feeling the pressure of being in the hot seat. "Being the No. 1 seed at a tournament is not easy, people expect a lot from you. I am just taking a match at a time, the most dangerous opponent is always the next one."

Other winners into the second round were (6) Julien "United Colors of" Benneteau (d. Gambill), Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu (d. Vliegen), and French qualifier Marc Gicquel (d. (Q) Simon 7-6 in the third).

On court Wednesday are (Q) Haehnel vs. (Q) Gicquel in an all-qualifier-all-French, (1) Ljubicic vs. "Everybody Loves" Raemon Sluiter, (WC) 18-year-old Gael Monfils making his ATP debut vs. (2) Malisse in the match of the day, Arthurs vs. Carraz, (WC) Gasquet vs. Dupuis in an all-French, and Olivier "Mucus" Mutis vs. defending champ Clement in an all-French.