Grosjean drops countryman Mathieu in Lyon GP

LYON, France -- Sebastien Grosjean defeated countryman Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 on Monday, the only Frenchman of four to survive the first day of play at the Grand Prix of Lyon.

Fifth-seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden defeated French wild card Thierry Ascione 6-3, 6-1, and Germany's Florian Mayer topped Nicolas Mahut 7-6 (5) 6-3 in other first-round matches of the $858,000 indoor event on carpet.

"There wasn't much I could do," said Ascione, a Lyon native.

Mayer had 12 aces in earning his 26th victory of the season.

In other matches, No. 8 seed Nicolas Almagro of Spain rallied to beat Oliver Marach of Austria 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 and Chile's Nicolas Massu beat American Kevin Kim 7-6 (8-6), 7-5.

Tuesday's schedule features top-seeded Marcos Baghdatis against another Frenchman, Arnaud Clement, and No. 2 Gaston Gaudio against Germany's Simon Greul.