Defending champion David Ferrer was pushed to three sets by Czech Lukas Rosol in his opening match at the Paris Masters on Wednesday before easing into the last-16 with a 6-0 2-6 6-3 win.
Rosol, who is part of his country’s squad to face Serbia in the Davis Cup final on November 15, appeared to be on the receiving end of a rout before fighting back to give Ferrer a scare when he won the second set 6-2.
However, the experience of the 31-year-old grand slam finalist proved decisive in the final frame as Ferrer consistently put pressure on the Rosol serve and was rewarded with a third round tie against Frenchman Gilles Simon.
The Nice native, a semi-finalist loser last here in Paris against Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz, defeated Nicolas Mahut in a marathon 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-3) second round match-up.
Simon led 4-1 in the final set before an injury break forced upon Mahut appeared to revive the taller Frenchman.
However when the conclusion went to a tie-break, it was Simon who was strongest and finally closed out the longest match of the tournament for a rewarding victory.
“It was very difficult for both of us and we both had problems,” said a relieved Simon.
“It’s the last tournament of the year and we’re ready to die out there but I’m very, very happy to have won this match.
“I had lots of chances to win, I’m tired, I’m in pain but just very happy to have won,” Simon told a vibrant crowd that pushed the players to their limits.
Earlier on court one, big-serving American John Isner bombarded Polish qualifier Michal Przysiezny with 27 aces on the way to a 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-3 second round win.
Awaiting the US No.1 is six-time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic, who wrapped up his opening victory just after midnight on Tuesday, when he ended French qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert’s fairytale run in straight sets.
Rafael Nadal makes his much anticipated tournament debut later on Wednesday against fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers, while his long-time rival Roger Federer is also in action.
The Swiss record grand slam holder, needs just one more victory to seal his place at next month’s ATP World Tour Finals for the 12th straight season.
Standing in his way is South African Kevin Anderson who advanced on Tuesday when Russian veteran Mikhail Youzhny retired in the third set injured.
