MONTE CARLO Germany's Nicolas Kiefer span out of the $2.95 million Monte Carlo Masters on Monday at the hands of an 18-year-old qualifier.

The former world number four was ground into the center court's red clay 6-3 6-0 in just 56 minutes by Russia's Mikhail Youzhny.

Youzhny -- who won two qualifying matches over the weekend to reach the 64-strong main draw - could barely put a foot wrong.

Kiefer, by contrast, looked out of sorts at the Monte Carlo country club, and hit 27 unforced errors in the one-sided contest.

The German who was ranked fourth in the world last year struggled to find consistency throughout.

Despite claiming to prefer fast, indoor surfaces, 86th-ranked Youzhny was far more solid from the back of the court, maneuvering his 23-year-old opponent from side to side and fooling him with well-disguised drop shots.

"This is a great place to play," Youzhny, who lists Tashkent as his favorite tournament, smiled afterward.

"It's the first time I have played in a masters series tournament and it is great to come through the qualifying like this."

Youzhny is guaranteed a hefty payday in the principality tax haven. The victory secures him a tax-free $16,250.

The Russian was joined in the second round by Guillermo Coria. The Argentine ousted Sweden's Andrea Vinciguerra 6-1 6-4.

Top seeds Marat Safin and Gustavo Kuerten were given a rest on Monday and will open their campaigns today or Wednesday.

(Reuter)