French Open finalist David Ferrer lost his first-round match Tuesday at the Topshelf Open, a grass-court tournament held the week before Wimbledon.
A single service break in the second set was enough for Xavier Malisse of Belgium to beat the defending champion and top-seeded Ferrer in straight sets, 7-6 (3), 6-3.
''I think I need to play more on grass to get into it,'' Ferrer said. ''I can now train for a few days in London. I have to stay positive; my focus is now on my first match at Wimbledon.''
Second-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka edged Steve Darcis 7-6 (5), 6-4. Darcis was a late replacement for Dutchman Igor Sijsling, who pulled out with a stomach problem. The only other seeded player to reach the second round was fifth-seeded Jeremy Chardy, who beat Lucas Pouille 7-5, 6-4.
Top-seeded and 2011 champion Roberta Vinci had no such problem, stopping Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 6-3 in the first match on center court to reach the second round.
Fourth-seeded Kirsten Flipkens rallied from a set down to overcome Francesca Schiavone 3-6, 6-3, 6-0, and Carla Suarez Navarro advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Sofia Arvidsson 6-3, 6-4.
Benoit Paire was another seeded player who didn't make it past the first round, retiring after losing the first three games of the match to fellow Frenchman Michael Llodra.
