Djokovic, Roddick progress at Paris Masters
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Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick won in straight sets yesterday to march into the third round of the Paris Masters.
Like many players this week, second seed Djokovic fell behind early on against Argentine Juan Monaco as he took time to adapt to the fast court.
A break down, the Serbian recovered to take the first set 6-4 before wrapping up the second 6-3. He next faces American John Isner or Frenchman Michael Llodra.
Eighth seed Roddick breezed past Finnish qualifier Jarkko Nieminen 6-1, 6-4 to set up a meeting with Latvian Ernests Gulbis.
Roddick is trying to qualify for this month's ATP Tour Finals in London and holds the last remaining spot ahead of Spaniard Fernando Verdasco who won his second-round match in Paris on Tuesday.
"Every match I win is significant at this point ... it puts pressure on the guys behind me," the American told reporters.
"The last thing you want is to be at home cheering against somebody hoping that something bad happens to them."
Roddick fired nine aces as his serve and volley game prevailed on the quick surface.
Marin Cilic came through a tough three-setter against Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. The 13th seed from Croatia next plays world No. 4 Andy Murray or Argentine David Nalbandian.
Roger Federer, the No. 1-seeded player at the tournament following Rafael Nadal's withdrawal, was opening against Richard Gasquet of France in the evening session.
On Tuesday, Verdasco and Tomas Berdych reached the third round to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals.
Verdasco, who arrived in Paris having won just one match since the US Open in September, struggled to keep up with 32-year-old Arnaud Clement of France before rallying to win the last 10 games and seal a 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 victory.
Verdasco needs to reach the semifinals to have a chance of playing in London and next faces French 12th seed Gael Monfils, who dispatched German qualifier Benjamin Becker 7-6 (4), 6-4.
"I'm really not thinking about London right now as there are still two matches (to negotiate) and each could be very difficult," Verdasco said.
Fifth seed Berdych made sure he remained in the hunt for a place at the O2 in London after dispatching French wildcard Florent Serra 6-3, 6-1 in just 47 minutes.
One player who will not be in London is Russia's world No. 10 Mikhail Youzhny who retired in his second-round match against Gulbis due to a bad back.
Monaco defeated American Sam Querrey 7-6 (7), 6-2, while Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil served 21 aces to upset Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-3.
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