Novak Djokovic started his title defense at the BNP Paribas Indoor Masters 1000 tournament at the Accor Hotel in Paris with a 6-3 6-4 win over Gilles Muller in the second round match.
Djokovic needed only one break of serve for each set to seal the win in one hour and 20 minutes, extending his win-loss record to 4-0 over Muller without dropping a set. The World number 1 has scored his 16th consecutive win in Paris Bercy, where he lifted the title last year.
The Serbian broke serve in the sixth game at 30 and held his serve at love in the next game to open up a 5-2 lead before sealing the opening set in 35 minutes. Muller earned his only break point at 30-40 in the fourth game of the second set, but Djokovic saved it with an ace after three deuces. The top seed got the decisive break on his first chance in the eighth game to take the 5-4 lead as he eventually booked his place in the third round with an ace down the middle.
Djokovic has to reach at least the final to defend his leading position in the ATP Rankinsg from the assault of Andy Murray, who closed the gap on the Serb thanks to his title last week in Vienna.
“It’s a moment of happiness. It’s a real pleasure to come back to Paris after what I did at Roland Garros this year. In the past years I have played my best tennis here. It’s the end of the season and you have to find that last bit of energy. It’s not easy to break Gilles, but I played well. ” Said Djokovic.
In the third round Djokovic will play Grigor Dimitrov.
Kei Nishikori beat Viktor Troicki 6-2 7-5 to score his 300th career win. Nishikori, who lost in the Basel final last week, will take on Jo Wilfried Tsonga, who did not face any break points in his 6-3 6-4 win over Albert Ramos Vinolas. Nishikori leads 5-2 over Tsonga in their seven head-to-head matches.
Earlier in the day, David Goffin beat Nicolas Mahut 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to reach the third round where he will face Basel champion Marin Ciic, who overcame Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (9-7) 6-2. Gilles Simon fought back from losing the first set to beat Roberto Bautista Agut 2-6 6-1 7-6 (8-6). Agut earned three match points on his serve at 5-4, but Simon rallied to force the decider to the tie-break. Simon failed to convert a match point at 6-5 but closed out the match on his second chance. Simon will take on Tomas Berdych. In their 12 head-to-head matches the Frenchman leads 7-5 over the Czech player.
