Djokovic battles to victory

Paris - Novak Djokovic of Serbia secured back-to-back ATP titles on Sunday by edging battling Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-2 5-7 7-6 (7/3) in a thrilling Paris Masters final.

The win was the first for Djokovic in the Masters Series this year following four runner-up finishes and it will send him into the season-ending ATP Tour World Finals in London from November 22-29 as the favourite.

But it remains to be seen just how much his efforts here this week, and throughout the year, have taken out of him after he completed a tour-leading 94th match of the season.

At 6-2 3-0 up Djokovic appeared to be cruising toward his first Paris Masters title, but a combination of fatigue and bravado from Monfils saw the home favourite claw his way back into the match.

The Serb again looked set for victory when he led 4-1 in the decider but again Monfils battled back to level at 4-4 and the final went all the way to a tie-break.

Djokovic led from the start and clinched the title when Monfils double faulted with the Serb 6-3 ahead.