The eighth-seed started off well with a 2-0 lead and comfortably held his serve to claim the first set. Gulbis stepped up his game in the second set but bowed out when he lost the tiebreak 10-8 after saving three match points.
Earlier, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray all hit form to reach the Paris Masters third round. Federer breezed past home favourite Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-4 and Djokovic comfortably defeated Argentina’s Juan Monaco 6-4, 6-3, but Murray had to battle back from a set down to overcome former champion David Nalbandian 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Federer, who received a first-round bye, served imperiously against Gasquet and secured the decisive break of serve in the third game of the first set with a typically deft forehand drop volley. He broke his opponent in the opening game of the second set and went on to close out victory, teeing him up for a showdown against Radek Stepanek.
Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych, Spain’s David Ferrer and Roddick will complete the field for the season-ending event. Rafael Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Murray and Robin Soderling had already secured their places at the event at London’s O2 Arena.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2010.
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