Top seed Haas slumps to first round defeat in Munich

MUNICH, Germany, May 1 (Reuters) Top seed Tommy Haas went out of the 353,450 euro Munich Open in the first round today, losing 6-4 6-4 to Sebastien Grosjean of France.

The German, who grew up near Munich, was beaten in just 87 minutes by Grosjean in a repeat of his first-round exit a year ago.

He had hoped to use the tournament to tune up for the French Open.

Not even the sell-out home crowd could help Haas, who is 11th in the world compared to his 58th ranked opponent.

Haas lost a break to 2-1 in the first set and smashed his racket on court after losing his serve again to fall behind 1-0 early in the second set.

''I can understand that the fans want to see a winner,'' said the 29-year-old. ''I just didn't play well. I'm extremely disappointed. I feel like burying myself. It's frustrating, a crap feeling not to be able to play well on this surface.'' Defending champion Oliver Rochus of Belgium was beaten late yesterday by eighth seed Juergen Melzer of Austria 6-2 6-4.

Also losing in the first round today was Germany's Rainer Schuettler, beaten 6-4 6-4 by fifth seed Jarkko Nieminen of Finland.

REUTERS SY RK2238