TENNIS MASTER 1000 PARIS – Novak Djokovic made a winning debut beating Phillip Kohlschreiber 6-3 6-4 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Master 1000 in Paris Bercy in his first match since his wife Jelena Ristic gave birth to their first child Stefan. Diego Sampaolo
Djokovic broke serve in the second game of the opening set as Kohlschreiber made too many errors and held serve in the next game for 3-0. Djokovic pulled away to 5-1. Kohlschreiber broke back for 2-5 on Djokovic’s set point with a forehand drop shot after a long rally and held serve in the next game before Nole closed out the first set with 6-3 with a service winner. Djokovic broke serve in the first game of the second set with a backhand drop shot winner. Kohlschreiber produced some backhand winners but Djokovic did not face any break point chances in the second set and closed out on his second match point in one hour and 24 minutes
“Kohlschreiber is a very tricky opponent. I managed to start the match really well and one break was enough in the second set. I struggled a little physically but at the end of the day I was happy to finish the day the way I did. I am trying to take as much positive energy as I can from what’s happened in the past few weeks. I am very proud to be a father and I am very proud of how my wife for handling the birth in a great way”, said Djokovic
Djokovic extended his winning streak to 23 consecutive matches in Indoor tournaments. The Serb will face either Gael Monfils or John Isner
Fernando Verdasco upset this year’s Shanghai finalist Giles Simon in three sets with 6-3 3-6 6-4 in just under two hours after a match marked by many errors by both players. Verdasco broke serve on match point as Simon hit a forehand long.
Verdasco is projected to meet his compatriot David Ferrer who will debut against David Goffin who has continued his excellent period of form by beating Lukas Rosol 6-3 6-4.
Goffin, who finished runner-up to his idol Roger Federer in the Basel final last Sunday, has risen six spots to World Number 22 reaching his career-high in the ATP Ranking. He has won 43 of his last 46 matches since his first-round defeat against Andy Murray at Wimbledon clinching two ATP 250 titles at Kitzbuhel and Metz, three ATP Challengers at Scheveningen, Poznan and Tampere and reaching the third round at the US Open.
Tommy Robredo played another thrilling three-set match two days after losing a epic final in Valencia against Andy Murray. The Spaniard needed another win at the tie-break of the third set to battle past Vasek Pospisil with 6-3 4-6 7-6 (7-5) after recovering from a 2-4 deficit in the decider.
Robredo broke for the first time in the first set when Pospisil hit a half-volley drop shot into the net. In the second set Pospisil took control and hit four consecutive aces At 4-5 Pospisil received medical treatment on his left hip. After an early break Pospisil made an error as he was serving at 4-3. Robredo broke back in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. In the third set Pospisil held five of his six service games. At 4-4 Pospisil wasted a break that would have enabled to serve for the match. In the tie-break Robredo took a 6-3 lead before facing a tough battle when Pospisil fended off two match points. Pospisil clinched another hard-fought battle with 7-5 at the tie-break.
Gael Monfils made a winning come-back to the court after being sidelined by a knee injury for six weeks after the Metz semifinal. The Frenchman, who reached the final in Paris Bercy twice in his career in 2009 and 2010, beat Joao Sousa 6-1 6-4. Monfils, who took the last-minute decision to play in his home tournament, will face John Isner in the second round on Wednesday.
Frenchman Lucas Pouille upset Ivo Karlovic 6-1 6-4. Karlovic hit just 5 aces and was broken three times. Kevin Anderson edged Santiago Giraldo 6-4 7-6 (10-8). He will face either Stan Wawrinka or Dominic Thiem who will play on Wednesday morning.
In the final Tuesday match Tomas Berdych battled past Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-2.
Roger Federer will make his debut against Jeremy Chardy who edged his compatriot Kenny De Schepper after two tie-breaks with 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4).
On Wednesday Andy Murray will play against another French player Julien Benneteau in the second round three days after winning the Valencia title in a epic battle where he saved five match points.
Thanks to a strong 16-3 winning record since his quarter finals at the US Open and three titles in Shenzhen, Vienna and Valencia, Murray has climbed to fifth in the ATP Race to London and could secure his spot for the end-of-year tournament with the top eight players if he reaches the quarter finals in Paris Bercy.
“It’s been a long few weeks but it’s been beneficial for me. I gained a lot of confidence in my body from playing so many matches and from winning a lot of long, tough matches, especially in the finals where I faced many match points. It was supposed to be a terrible year for me. I have come back from a tough surgery and I have hopefully a couple of tournaments ahead of me where I can try to make some improvements”, said Murray
