MONTREAL — Gael Monfils downed Italy's Fabio Fognini in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 on Monday as French players made a strong start to the Rogers Cup men's tournament.
Monfils broke Fognini's serve four times in their first round match and finished with seven aces to Fognini's three.
"I wanted to start off this tournament well," said Monfils, who has yet to win a Grand Slam in his career. "It was not a great match, but I didn't play bad. I was solid. I didn't give away any points."
France's Gilles Simon was also in form, defeating Italy's Andreas Seppi in straight sets 6-2, 6-4.
Monfils will next play Gilles Muller, who defeated Canada's Philip Bester 6-2, 6-3.
"I'm looking forward to that match because I've known him for a long time," said the 28-year-old Monfils. "I know he's a good player. He plays well. He's very aggressive and has a good serve."
Spain's Tommy Robredo needed three sets to top countryman Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Robredo will face third-ranked Andy Murray in the second round.
Bester struggled against Muller's powerful serve, but also had unforced errors throughout and never managed to break Muller's serve.
Also Monday, Sam Querrey got past Martin Klizan 6-3, 6-3, Sergiy Stakhovsky overcame Filip Peliwo 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, Bernard Tomic downed Joao Sousa 6-3, 6-3, Thomaz Bellucci outlasted Pablo Cuevas 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (4), Ivo Karlovic defeated Jerzy Janowicz 6-4, 7-6 (6) and Leonardo Mayer eliminated Chung Hyeon 6-3, 6-4.
(Sources from Philstar.com and Philippinemavericks.com)