Top seed Andy Roddick [Images] recorded his 300th career victory on Tuesday with a 7-5, 6-3 win over French wildcard Thierry Ascione in the first round of the Lyon Grand Prix.

American Roddick, who had not won a tour match since the middle of August, improved after a sluggish start to advance to the second round of the indoor event.

Second seed Mariano Puerta left the tournament early, losing 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 to Belgian Olivier Rochus.

Rochus recovered after losing the first set to win a tight battle against the Argentine who has struggled after reports this month that he has failed a drugs test.

Puerta has denied a report in the French newspaper L'Equipe that he tested positive for a banned substance during his runup to this year's French Open final.

The Argentine said he had taken anti-inflammatory tablets for a sore leg after his French Open semi-final win over Russia's [Images] Nikolay Davydenko.

"I didn't know he could play that well indoors," Rochus said. "It's a great victory. I served 16 aces. I'd never done that before".

Another seed bowed out on Tuesday when French qualifier Marc Gicquel knocked out sixth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer 6-4, 6-0.

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