Defending champion Novak Djokovic started his campaign for the 39th Masters title with a straight-sets second-round win over American Maxime Cressy in the Paris Masters 2022 tennis tournament on Tuesday.
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Former No.1 Djokovic defeated Cressy 7-6 (1), 6-4 in the second round of the Paris Masters 2022. Djokovic has won 10 matches in a row since his loss at the Laver Cup in September. He will next take on Karen Khachanov, who defeated Marc-Andrea Hüsler 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
The big-serving Paris-born Cressy proved tough to crack in the opening set, saving three set points before being undone by two double faults in the tie-break. Djokovic though weathered Cressy's aggressive but not altogether reliable delivery. He hit 15 aces and 10 double faults and he got his break on return to lead 5-4 in the second set, to go on to serve out for the match.
"Difficult to play him definitely in these kind of conditions where balls are flying through the court and it's quicker than it was last year, so tough to break." Djokovic said after the match.
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On court Wednesday are top seed Carlos Alcaraz, who takes on Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka, and Nadal who like his old rival Djokovic faces American opposition in the shape of Tommy Paul.
Meanwhile, Casper Ruud also advanced to the third round after beating wild card holder Richard Gasquet 6-1, 7-6 (7). While Holger Rune saved three match points to beat Stan Wawrinka 4-6, 7-5, 7-6. Andrey Rublev and Hubert Hurkacz stayed in contention for the two remaining spots at the ATP Finals.