Lyon: Top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga needed two tiebreaks to overcome American Kevin Kim 7-6, 7-6 and reach the Lyon Grand Prix second round on Tuesday.
The Frenchman never looked in danger of losing his serve as he fired 14 aces but he only created two break points and wasted both in the second set.
"I did not practise a lot last week as I took some rest after coming back from Asia. So I knew I would not play very well," Tsonga told reporters.
"But I was able to stay relaxed and that's something I am trying to improve on. Last year, I would have needed three sets to win such a game," he added.
The world number eight has nothing to gain in Lyon in the battle for the two places available in the season-ending World Tour Finals in London next month. He has scored maximum points in that category of ATP 250 tournaments after wins in Marseille and Johannesburg this year.
He will next meet the winner of the match between French qualifier Vincent Millot and Belgium's Olivier Rochus.
Fellow local favourite Fabrice Santoro suffered an early exit. The 36-year-old Frenchman lost 6-4, 6-4 to Spaniard Albert Montanes in his last appearance in Lyon where he won his first career title in 1997.
Each player had five break points during the match but while eighth-seeded Montanes broke early in each set, Santoro failed to convert any of them.
"Albert played very well, especially with his backhand and that was a bit of a surprise for me," Santoro told reporters.
"I'm happy because I have been able to play on this central court one last time. It is better to end your career while playing than when being injured."
He hinted that he could extend his career to next year's Australian Open. If he does make it to Melbourne in January, he would have played in a grand slam tournament in each of four consecutive decades.
Bureau Report