Raonic slugs out a win over Tsonga to earn 2nd-round date with Federer

Canada's Milos Raonic came from a set down and advanced to the second round of the Paris Masters on Tuesday with a tough 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) win over France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., fired 23 aces won 90 per cent of first serve points in the match between two big servers.

Tsonga had 17 aces in the match.

Highlights of Milos Raonic's win:

Raonic beats Tsonga to snap losing streak

6 years ago

Duration 1:05

Milos Raonic battled past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first round of the Paris Masters.

It doesn't get any easier for Raonic, who will face Roger Federer in the second round on Wednesday. The third-seeded Swiss star had a bye in the first round.

Federer's last appearance at the Paris indoor event was a third-round loss to big-serving John Isner in 2015. There were doubts Federer would play after a grueling past week which saw him clinch his ninth victory at the Swiss Indoors and 99th overall.

"I feel good," Federer told a news conference. "I feel like I recovered well from last week."

The 37-year-old Federer is selective of when he plays in order to keep his body as fresh as possible, and he skipped the entire clay-court season for the second straight year.

With the season-ending ATP Finals in London starting Nov. 11, he is playing three straight tournaments. But the third-ranked Federer feels comfortable with it.

"I feel like it's better for me to play matches rather than practice," Federer said. "As long as I don't feel like I'm taking a chance on my health prior to London, that's the key as well."

Djokovic looks for 5th title:

Djokovic wins first round match at Paris Masters

6 years ago

Duration 1:10

Novak Djokovic beat Joao Sousa in straight sets on Tuesday at the Paris Masters.

Novak Djokovic began his bid for a record-extending fifth Paris Masters title with a 7-5, 6-1 win against Joao Sousa in the second round on Tuesday.

Serving for the match at 5-1, Djokovic handed a towel to a male spectator who seemed unwell and who wiped his forehead with it.

The second-ranked Serb set up match point with an ace and sealed victory on his third match point when Sousa returned a second serve long.

The U.S. Open champion won four of the last five tournaments he has entered, including Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and most recently the Shanghai Masters.

Djokovic is seeking to reclaim the top ranking from Rafael Nadal at a tournament Nadal has never won. Djokovic next faces Damir Dzumhur.