Berlocq beats Simon in Mexican Open

Mexico City: Frenchman Gilles Simon crashed out of the Mexican Open tennis tournament, losing in the first round to Argentine Carlos Berlocq 6-7 (5), 3-6.

The world number 13, playing a man ranked 31 places below him, struggled with his serve during the two-and-a-half hour match Tuesday. He won just nine of 25 second serve points while Berlocq was able to convert five of 11 break points to seal victory, Xinhua reported. Berlocq, had just last week beaten Simon in the second round of Buenos Aires Open. The 29-year-old Berlocq will meet Italian Potito Starace who eliminated his counterpart Alessandro Giannessi 6-2, 7-5. PTI