Djokovic in control in Paris

Paris -Serbia's Novak Djokovic began the defence of his ATP Paris Masters title with a straightforward 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Argentina's Juan Monaco in the second round here on Wednesday.

The second seed, defending the title he won against Gael Monfils last year, will face either big-serving American 16th seed John Isner or France's Michael Llodra for a place in the quarter-finals.

Djokovic, who received a first-round bye, found himself a break down early on, but fought back to level and then broke to love in the 10th game to take the first set, converting set point with a strong backhand return.

The Serbian saw off break points in his opening two service games of the second set and then broke for a 4-2 lead when Monaco double-faulted, before clinching victory when his opponent swatted a backhand return long.

"He was taking the balls early and being aggressive, and he was the better player at the start of the match," said Djokovic, who lost to Roger Federer in the Basel final on Sunday.

"I was lucky to get the break. When I did that I regained confidence and control of the match, and felt better on the court."

Eighth seed Andy Roddick swept into the third round with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-4 defeat of Finland's Jarkko Nieminen.

Roddick will now face Latvian Ernests Gulbis, who has reached round three after first-round opponent Juan Ignacio Chela and then Russian ninth seed Mikhail Youzhny both withdrew from their matches against him through injury.

Croatian 13th seed Marin Cilic came through 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 against Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky to set up a meeting with either British third seed Andy Murray or 2007 champion David Nalbandian of Argentina, who meet later.

Top seed Federer takes on home favourite Richard Gasquet in the evening session, with Gasquet's fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon also in action against Swedish fourth seed Robin Soderling.

Results:

Andy Roddick (USA x8) bt Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) 6-1, 6-4

Marin Cilic (CRO x13) bt Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

Novak Djokovic (SRB x2) bt Juan Monaco (ARG) 6-4, 6-3

Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) bt Ivan Ljubicic (CRO x15) 6-4, 6-4

Andy Murray (GBR x3) bt David Nalbandian (ARG) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3