Djoko survives Monfils in Paris final

PARIS – Third-seeded Novak Djokovic scrambled to a 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (3) victory over local favorite Gael Monfils to win the Paris Masters for the first time in his career on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Serb survived a 2 hours and 43 minutes battle to win back-to-back ATP titles after defeating top-ranked Roger Federer in the Swiss Indoors final last Sunday.

Djokovic looked set for a comfortable triumph after winning the first set in just half an hour, but then struggled physically to stay at the same level.

“It was unbelievably difficult,” said the world No. 3, who has won a record 76 matches on the tour this season and claimed his first Masters 1000 tournament of the year following four defeats in finals.

“Gael was very unpredictable and he was hitting the ball very good.”

Djokovic, who will defend his title at the eight-man ATP World Tour Finals from Nov. 22-29 in London, extended his perfect record against Monfils to 4-0.  (AP)