Seed Schuettler exits in round one
 |  Schuettler has begun 2005 in the same poor form he ended last year with |
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MADRAS, India -- Germany's Rainer Schuettler became the first seeded casualty at the Chennai Open, knocked out by Frenchman Olivier Patience in the first round.
Third-seeded Schuettler made a string of errors to lose the first match on the stadium court 6-2 6-2, making an inauspicious start to the year after a poor 2004.
Paul-Henri Mathieu beat Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia and Montenegro 6-3 6-4 while American Justin Gimelstob beat compatriot Jan-Michael Gambill 6-3 6-3.
Schuettler, 28, had been ranked as high as sixth in 2003 but he failed to win a single title, losing more matches than he won, to fall to 38th by the end of 2004.
"I was initially nervous, but attacked Rainer's backhand because he has a very strong forehand," said Patience.
The 24-year-old had initially thought of withdrawing after thousands of people were killed in last week's tsunami waves that struck south and east Asian coasts, including the southern Tamil Nadu state of which Madras is the capital.
"I was a bit afraid after so many people died, but I have made a good choice by coming here," said the world number 97.
Several leading players, including top seed Carlos Moya of Spain, have pledged their support to help tsunami victims, while tournament organisers raised about one million Indian rupees ($23,000) through an auction of sporting memorabilia.
