Andy Murray is out of the Rennes Open after a 6-2 4-6 6-1 defeat by Roman Safiullin in the last 16.
The world number 116 was sluggish in the first set but hit back to take the second against the big-serving Russian.
Seeded fifth, Murray had hoped for a run of games in France, attracting large crowds for his two matches.
But an unfortunate net cord at break point down in the third set broke his resistance and Safiullin ran away with the match.
Murray, 34, impressed in the first round and wanted to build his ranking with a good run in this ATP Challenger event.