Record-breaker Nicolas Mahut beats Alejandro Falla
Highlights - Isner finally wins marathon match (UK users only)
Record-breaker Nicolas Mahut showed he had recovered from his marathon defeat by John Isner at Wimbledon by beating Alejandro Falla in his court comeback.
Mahut, beaten 70-68 in the last set by Isner, returned with a 6-3 1-6 6-3 win over Falla, who took Roger Federer to five sets at the All England Club.
In contrast to the 11 hours and five minutes he spent on court at Wimbledon, Frenchman Mahut won in just 83 minutes.
Briton Richard Bloomfield also reached the second round in Rhode Island.
The British number 12 from Norfolk, ranked 552 in the world, prevailed 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 against Belgian Christophe Rochus.
Mahut's morale-boosting victory over Falla, provided a much-needed boost after the heartbreak of losing his record match with Isner.
"This is just amazing what happened here for me," Mahut told the ATP Tour website.
"Just people coming every two minutes, come to me and congratulate me. It's an unbelievable feeling.
"I'm so grateful to everyone, really I take the energy from the people, and that's why I won today.
"I was thinking that people would say 'Bad luck, you lost this match', but no, people are coming to me and say, 'I've never seen something like this before. It's just amazing. You both deserve to win.' It's a great feeling."
Mahut and Falla had to endure 97 degree temperatures on court but the Frenchman was well prepared.
5 live commentator - I expected it to go on forever
"Nothing is worse than what I did in Wimbledon," admitted Mahut.
"Every match that I play now will be easier than what I did. I cannot complain any more."
American Sam Querrey saw off Jesse Levine 6-3 6-3, while Mardy Fish won another all-American tie against Michael Russell 6-1 6-2.
Second seeded Colombian Santiago Giraldo saw off Austrian qualifier Alexander Peya 7-6 (7/1) 1-6 6-4, while Rajeev Ram, Brian Dabul, Sergei Bubka, Raven Klaasen, Somdev Devvarman and Denis Kudla also booked their places in the second round.
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