Sun Aug 17 18:40:51 2008

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Three Frenchmen fall in first-round action in New Haven

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New Haven, CT (Sports Network) - Mischa Zverev and Ivo Minar were among four first-round winners on Sunday at the $708,000 Pilot Pen Tennis event, a final U.S. Open tune-up.

The German Zverev held off France's Florent Serra 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) to advance. Minar, of the Czech Republic, rallied to oust Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

The French would continue getting eliminated later in the day as Nicolas Devilder dropped a heartbreak to Spain's Albert Montanes 7-6 (7-5), 7-5.

The only American on the docket, Donald Young, was ousted in straight sets by Dudi Sela of Israel, 6-4, 6-2.

American James Blake beat compatriot Mardy Fish in last year's hardcourt final at the Connecticut Tennis Center.

The 2008 U.S. Open will commence August 25 in New York.