Pioline Ousted At Toulouse

Frenchman Cedric Pioline, who will spearhead his country's challenge in the Davis Cup final against Australia, was beaten 7-6 (12-10), 2-6, 6-4 by Australia's Richard Fromberg on Wednesday in the first round of the Toulouse Open.

"That was my best match of the year," Fromberg said. "Beating Pioline in France is something special."

A recent U.S. Open semifinalist and seeded second here, Pioline was one of four seeded players to tumble out as the first round was completed.

Frenchmen Sebastian Grosjean, the No. 4 seed, and Arnaud Clement , seeded eight, also fell at the first hurdle. Grosjean went down to Sweden's Magnus Gustafsson 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-3 and Clement to Daniel Vacek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (11-9), 6-3.

Anthony Dupuis, ranked 100th, was an unexpected French winner, ousting sixth-seeded Marat Safin of Russia 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4.

No. 3 Thomas Johansson of Sweden beat Jan Siemerink of the Netherlands 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 and Zimbabwe's Byron Black defeated Chris Woodruff 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

In the opening second-round match of the event, fifth-seeded Marc Rosset downed Gianluca Pozzi of Italy 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3.

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