World number 19 Radek Stepanek crashed out of the Monte Carlo Masters as he lost to qualifier Nicolas Lapentti.

Czech Stepanek, a winner twice on the tour so far this year, went down 6-3 1-6 6-3 to the South American world number 98.

Juan Ignacio Chela will face defending champion Rafael Nadal in the second round after coming from behind to progress today.

Argentinian Chela, ranked 167th in the world after injury problems, found himself 3-5 down in the third set against Russian Igor Kunitsyn but fought back to secure a 6-4 2-6 7-5 win.

Italian world number 40 Andreas Seppi will face Roger Federer on Wednesday after beating Jurgen Melzer 6-2 6-0 in barely an hour.

Croatia's Marin Cilic beat qualifier Flavio Cipolla 6-3 6-2 to reach the second round while there were also victories for Juan Monaco, who beat Jeremy Chardy 6-2 7-5, and Ivan Ljubicic, a 6-4 6-7 6-4 winner against Belgian qualifier Kristof Vliegen.

Nicolas Kiefer lost 1-6 7-6 6-4 to Andreas Beck.