Monfils, Clement Win at ATP Metz

Unseeded Frenchmen advancing were Arnaud Clement (d. (Q) Summerer) and Paul-Henri Mathieu (d. Andreev), both in straight sets.

"Today was my first indoor match of the season," Mathieu said. "I came back in the first set, I saved two set points and I think after that, he got a little bit tight, and things kept on going well for me."

Clement hopes the familiar surroundings at Metz will help him find his old form.

"I like playing in Metz. It's an arena and a court I know, where I feel great. I won here one of my two career titles so it's a very special place for me," said the veteran who next faces new-generation Frenchman Gael Monfils. "I never played against him, it will be the first time. I know him a little and I look forward to this next match."

Also advancing were No. 4 seed Dominik Hrbaty (d. Mayer), Aussie qualifier Peter Luczak (d. (Q) Schukin), and wildcard Mark Philippoussis winning a second consecutive match (d. Calleri) for the first time since the grasscourt season.

On tap for Thursday are (Q) Luczak vs. (5) Soderling, Seppi vs. Pavel, (3) Ljubicic vs. Santoro, (1) Davydenko vs. Llodra, (6) Monfils vs. (WC) Clement in an all-French, and the all-French feature in Mathieu vs. (2) Gasquet.