Simon first victory in 2010.

Gilles Simon earned his first victory of the year on the main circuit, beating Kazakhstan Evgeny Korolev Eastbourne (6-3, 6-7, 6-4). Absent through injury since late March, the Frenchman, a former sixth-ranked descended 32rd, succeeded his return. Llodra and Robert are gone.

ATP EASTBOURNE - 1st round:
Gilles Simon (FRA/N.3) beat Evgeny Korolev (KAZ) 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4

Gilles Simon brings a bit of balm to the heart of French tennis. The French just won its first game of the year! This is good news for a week of Wimbledon, which will, hopefully, the first Grand Slam of the year for Simon who had to abandon the Australian Open and Roland Garros because of a chronic inflammation in his right knee that hinders the past year. He will meet Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov or Japanese Kei Nishikori in the second round.
He obtained a first match point in the tiebreak in the second set and was not discouraged when he was not conducted three games to one in the deciding set against the 77th world. Before arriving at Eastbourne, he could only play four tournaments this year - Marseille, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami - for as many defeats entry. In late March he had completely cut off to allow the wound to heal and took over the racket he is barely three weeks.

Denis Istomin (UZB) beat Eduardo Schwank (ARG) 6-0, 6-3
Stephane Robert (FRA) beat Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 7-6 (7/4), 6-4
Michael Llodra (FRA/N.8) beat Martin Emmrich (GER) 6-0, 6-3