Murray through to Paris Masters’ last 16

Wawrinka, Ferrer, Raonic also progress on third day ahead of London Finals

PARIS: Andy Murray turned in a clinical performance on Wednesday as he joined Stan Wawrinka, David Ferrer and Milos Raonic in the next round of the Paris Masters.

The two-time grand slam winner, who was absent last year after undergoing back surgery, overcame the challenge of French world number 28 Julien Benneteau and advanced to the last 16, 6-3, 6-4.

If Murray wins his next match, he will guarantee qualification for the World Tour Finals in London for the seventh straight year.

Meanwhile, Wawrinka snapped a three-game losing streak on Wednesday as he too qualified for the last 16 with a 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) victory over Dominic Thiem.

The Swiss 29-year-old came through a tight match in one hour 36 minutes against the Austrian to book a meeting with big-serving South African Kevin Anderson.

"I'm trying to find my confidence, I have some victories but I know that my level of game is there,” said Wawrinka, who won his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January and admitted he was somewhat surprised by his recent rise into the top five.

Earlier on the third day of the penultimate tournament of the season, Canada's Raonic kept alive his chances of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals with a tough three-set win over American qualifier Jack Sock.

The number seven seed needs to win the tournament in Paris to guarantee his place in the elite eight-man field to take part in the season finale, which begins in London on November 9.

He scraped through against world number 44 Sock, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/4) in over two hours.

Awaiting Raonic in the third round will be Roberto Bautista-Agut, who knocked out Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2.

Djokovic off to brilliant start

World number one Novak Djokovic celebrated his return to competition since becoming a father last week with a ruthless 6-3, 6-4 second round victory over Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old defending champion showed the flashes of brilliance that has seen him win seven grand slams.

The Serbian, who is chasing a third title in Paris, secured early breaks in both sets to lay the foundations for his victory.

"I still don't quite feel 100% physically and the court threw up a lot of high bounces but I played a quality match and was very concentrated,” said Djokovic.

"It's incredible to be a father and I dedicate this victory to my wife Jelena and Stefan. This was my first match as a father and it can only inspire me to play my best tennis.”

 

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