The home crowd had plenty to cheer at the Raiffeisen Grand Prix in St. Polten, Austria despite top seed Jiri Novak pulling out with a wrist injury.

Austrians Stefan Koubek and Juergen Melzer had first-round victories, but Novak is simply looking to recover in time for next week's French Open.

"I've already played a lot this year and on Saturday in Hamburg I injured my right wrist," said Novak.

The Czech lost to Andre Agassi in the semi-final of the Rome Masters two weeks ago.

He is seeded 14th for Roland Garros and has enjoyed a good year so far, reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open and currently standing eighth in the ATP Champions Race.

Novak will be replaced by Brazilian Flavio Saretta in St. Polten, with Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti now the top seed.

Fifth seed Koubek beat American Bob Bryan 6-3 7-5, while Melzer thrashed Sargis Sargsian 6-0 6-2 to set up a clash with defending champion Andrea Gaudenzi.

Second round result: