Alexei Popyrin has battled his way past a qualifier to reach the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters but fellow Australian Chris O'Connell, himself a qualifier, has been knocked out.
His exit reduces the Australian contingent to three with Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson still to play.
Popyrin had to work hard, losing the first set to Corentin Moutet, before dispatching the Frenchman 3-6 7-5 6-2 in two hours, 42 minutes. He will now face defending champion Andrey Rublev, who as one of the top eight seeds had a first round bye.
