MALLORCA: Russian Roman Safiullin upset French fifth seed Alexander Muller 7-6(5), 7-5 in a tight opening-round contest at the Mallorca Open on Monday, while Corentin Moutet overcame home favourite Pedro Martinez 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 toreachthe round-of-16.

Safiullin put pressure on Muller from the outset but the Frenchman fought hard to force a first-set tiebreak, which the Russian then claimed 7-6(5).

Muller, who has only two career wins on grass, took a two-game lead in the second but Safiullin recovered to clinch it and will next face Serbia`s Hamad Medjedovic.

Muller`s compatriot Moutet, fresh off his stunning victory over Taylor Fritz at Queen`s last week, struggled with frustration in the first set against Martinez, smashing rackets and voicing his anger before losing the opener.

The second set saw a more composed Moutet, who capitalised on Martinez`s injury concerns to level the match before sealing a berth in the next round with a bagel in the decider.

Moutet will now play German eighth seed Daniel Altmaier.-Reuters