GSTAAD, Switzerland (AFP) - Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu will face a repeat of his recent losing Wimbledon match after Croatian Marin Cilic booked a place against the top seed at the Gstaad Open on Monday.

The teenaged Cilic came through his start at this high-altitude alpine venue, beating French qualifier Josselin Ouanna 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round where holder Mathieu was waiting after a bye.

Mathieu and Cilic are more than a bit familiar, having played five times in three months, including the Croatian's four-set win nine days ago in the third round at the All England club.

The 55th-ranked Cilic has won their last two on grass while number 16 Mathieu claimed victories on the lawns at Queen's club last month, on May clay in Munich and hardcourt in Miami in late March.

The French second seed is now working with former great Mats Wilander, trying to lift his standing as he defends the Gstaad title in similar fast conditions to those in Munich.

"I learned the lessons from the first half of my season, and then I'll focus on the second half," said the player who stands 7-3 in Gstaad.

Cilic has come through qualifying in his previous two Gstaad appearances, reaching a 2006 semi-final against Feliciano Lopez and losing a year ago in his first-round match against Radek Stepanek.

Argentine eighth seed Guillermo Canas made a winning debut at this VIP resort, advancing over Czech Ivo Minar 7-6 (11/9), 6-3 while Florent Serra of France put out Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5).

Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka, who has lost in the first round in three of his four home appearances, will try to improve on that record as top seed.

The number nine is waiting in the second round after a bye with his opponent to come from either doubles partner Stephane Bohli or wild card Swiss Robin Roshardt.