Joao Sousa and Benoit Paire fall at the first hurdle in Croatia

ATP Tour
Benoit Paire watches on

Joao Sousa and Benoit Paire were early casualties at the Croatia Open in Umag.

The seventh-seeded Sousa, who won his home title the Estoril Open back in May, was beaten by world No 81 Aljaz Bedene, with the Slovenian claiming a 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-4 victory.

Bedene will face Guido Pella next after the Argentine beat Taro Daniel 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Eighth seed Paire, who reached the third round of Wimbledon, suffered a 6-1, 6-3 defeat at the hands of Bulgarian Marton Fucsovics.

Fucsovics will take on qualifier Marco Trungelliti in the second round after the Argentine secured a 6-3, 6-4 win over Franko Skugor.

There was some good news for the seeds as the sixth-ranked Robin Haase from the Netherlands beat Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 while ninth seed Maximilian Marterer beat local wild card Nino Serdarusic 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime set up a clash against fellow NextGen player Andrey Rublev with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Andrej Martin.

Joao Sousa Robin Haase

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