Joao Sousa, Borna Coric exit

Joao Sousa and Borna Coric became the first major casualties at the Open Sud de France on Tuesday as they fell at the first hurdle to unseeded opponents.

Sixth seed Sousa - eliminated by eventual runner-up Andy Murray in the third round at the Australian Open last month - was unable to return to winning ways as he lost 6-4 3-6 6-4 to Belgium's Ruben Bemelmans.

World number 107 Bemelmans looked to have squandered his chance to wrap up the match when he wasted two match points at 5-4 up on his own serve.

However, the 28-year-old recovered to break for the win in the next game, setting up a second-round clash with Jan-Lennard Struff, who upset Nicolas Mahut in a 6-3 7-5 victory.

Seventh seed Coric, meanwhile, lost in straight sets to Michael Berrer - the match finishing 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.

Kenny de Schepper awaits Berrer in the second round following his win over Nikoloz Basilashvili, while Ernests Gulbis saw off Quentin Halys - beaten by champion Novak Djokovic in Melbourne - 6-4 6-3.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Paul-Henri Mathieu, Dustin Brown and John Millman against Elias Ymer, Steve Darcis and Julien Benneteau.