The two French players got off to a perfect start at the Moselle Open on Monday.
France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert (ranked 127th in the world) and Quentin Halys (ranked 84th) will face each other in the 2nd round of the ATP 250 tournament in Metz after beating Spain’s Pedro Martinez (ranked 41st) and another Frenchman, Théo Papamalamis, respectively on Monday.
Herbert, former world No. 2 in doubles and beaten on Sunday in the last round of qualifying by his compatriot Arthur Cazaux (85th), honored his re-entry into the final draw after several withdrawals, winning in three sets against Martinez 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), seeded No.6 at the Moselle tournament.
In the Franco-French duel of the day, Quentin Halys, a qualifier, easily defeated the very young Théo Papamalamis (18, 721st), also drafted in after the withdrawal of Arthur Rinderknech, in two sets 6-3, 6-1.
He will now meet Herbert in the next round for another red-white-and-blue match.
Earlier in the day, France’s Grégoire Barrère (166th), another repechage, lost to Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego (51st) in two sets, 6-4, 7-5.