World Number 1 Novak Djokovic beat Thomaz Bellucci 7-5 6-3 to advance to the third round of the BNP Paribas at the Accorhotel Arena in Paris Bercy. Djokovic has scored his 18th consecutive win since losing to Roger Federer in the Cincinnati final last August.
Djokovic won their previous five head-to-head matches. Last May Djokovic had to rally from a set down to beat Bellucci 5-7 6-2 6-3 to reach the quarter finals in Rome. In their last match Djokovic beat Bellucci 6-3 7-6 (7-4)
Djokovic and Bellucci traded breaks in the fifth and sixth games. Bellucci was the first to break serve in the fifth game for 3-2 with a forehand attack down the line which Djokovic could not return. Djokovic broke straight back to draw level to 3-3. The three-time Paris Bercy champion held his serving game to back up his break for 4-3. Bellucci saved a break point in the 8th game.
As Bellucci was serving to stay in the set at 5-6 Djokovic broke serve to love in the 12th game after hitting a passing shot, a forehand down the line and a backhand drop shot volley after 57 minutes.
Djokovic broke serve in the eighth game of second set for 5-3 as Bellucci made two consecutive mistakes. The Serbian star served out on his first match point after 1 hour and 34 minutes.
Djokovic won 77 percent of his first serve points and fired two aces.
Djokovic is bidding to become the first player to win six Master 1000 in one season.
“It was a good test. With new facilities and new colour of the court, it took a little bit of time to get used to it and adjust. I have had a few things that I could have done better tonight. Bellucci is someone who likes these particular conditions. He likes to create spin, especially from forehand side and plays pretty well. It wasn’t easy to make a lot of winners. He was reaching out and covering the court well. So it was a good test in my first indoor match”., said Djokovic
Djokovic will take on Giles Simon who beat his compatriot Benoit Paire 6-4 4-6 6-1 in one hour and 37 minutes.
Djokovic leads 8-1 in his head-to-head matches against Simon.
