Muller advances to quarterfinals in Metz

METZ, France (AP) Gilles Muller of Luxembourg hit 17 aces to reach the quarterfinals of the Open de Moselle with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) win over eighth-seeded Fernando Verdasco on Wednesday.

The 45th-ranked Muller, who produced his first win in three meetings with his Spanish rival, will next face the winner of an all-French contest between two-time former champion Gilles Simon and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber saved five break points to progress to the second round with a 7-6 (5), 6-3 defeat of John Millman. Next up against Kohlschreiber is Paolo Lorenzi, who rallied past Steve Darcis 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Darcis sent Belgium into the Davis Cup final by winning the decisive fifth match against Argentina last weekend.

Top-seeded Stan Wawrinka will open his campaign against Dustin Brown on Thursday.