Montpellier winner Lucas Pouille suffers early Rotterdam exit

French tennis player Lucas Pouille lost in straight sets to Russian Andrey Rublev at the Rotterdam Open on Wednesday.

Last week’s Montpellier champion Lucas Pouille exited in his opening match at the Rotterdam Open on Wednesday, losing 7-5, 6-4 to Andrey Rublev.

French tennis player Lucas Pouille suffered an early exit at Rotterdam on Wednesday. (AFP)

The Russian was joined in the second round at the Ahoy Arena by Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France, who advanced after just 15 minutes when compatriot Richard Gasquet, the Montpellier finalist, retired with a groin injury trailing 3-1.

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Top seed Roger Federer is expected on court later on Wednesday as he launches his bid for a return to the world’s number one ranking against Belgian Ruben Bemelmans in a first-time meeting.

The 36-year-old Federer could become the oldest man by three years to hold the number one spot if he reaches the semi-finals at an event he has won twice.

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Pouille lost in 93 minutes, hitting a dozen aces in defeat but losing serve four times.

The 34th-ranked Rublev owns his only career title from Umag last summer on clay. Herbert will play Russian Daniil Medvedev in the second round.