Montpellier winner Pouille suffers early Rotterdam exit
Thursday, 15 February 2018
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Feb 14, 2018 (AFP) - Last week's Montpellier champion Lucas Pouille exited in his opening match at the Rotterdam Open on Wednesday, losing 7-5, 6-4 to Andrey Rublev.
The Russian was joined in the second round at the Ahoy Arena by Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France, who advanced after just 15 minutes when compatriot Richard Gasquet, the Montpellier finalist, retired with a groin injury trailing 3-1.
Top seed Roger Federer is expected on court later on Wednesday as he launches his bid for a return to the world's number one ranking against Belgian Ruben Bemelmans in a first-time meeting. Pouille lost in 93 minutes, hitting a dozen aces in defeat but losing serve four times.