Nadal On Track For Elusive Paris Masters Title

MY FAULT

"I know, I know. It's my fault. I was not prepared enough... so I'm going to have to be pretending that I'm myself this year. No Darth Vader," Djokovic, who watched nine aces fly by him in the opener, told a news conference.

Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Jerzy Janowicz of Poland at the Paris Masters men's singles tennis tournament at the Palais Omnisports of Bercy in Paris, October 31, 2013. Picture taken using multiple exposures. [Photo/Agencies]

Federer showed glimpses of his brilliant best as he outclassed German Philip Kohlschreiber 6-3 6-4 to advance.

A day after securing his place at the World Tour finals, the Swiss won comfortably to set up a clash with Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who beat him in the Basel final last week.

"It wouldn't be nice to lose once more against him. If it happens I will accept it, but if I win I will have something extra for London," Federer told a news conference.

"I have an idea of my tactics, my gameplan. Now it's important to be able to do it, actually do it on the court."

Compatriot Wawrinka and Gasquet qualified for London after Raonic, who only had a slim chance of snatching one of the last two spots, lost 7-6(13) 6-4 to Czech sixth seed Berdych.

Seventh seed Wawrinka, Djokovic's next opponent, beat Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-3 6-2 while Gasquet, who knew he had qualified for the London event before his match, breezed past Japan's Kei Nishikori by the same score.

Wawrinka is eighth in the ATP Race to London with Gasquet in ninth spot. The cut off point for qualification was lowered to ninth after British world number four Andy Murray pulled out of the season finale because of lower back surgery.

Third-seeded Spaniard Ferrer continued his bid to become the first man to retain the Bercy title by demolishing France's Gilles Simon 6-2 6-3.