Novak Djokovic will begin his campaign at the Paris Masters on Tuesday safe in the knowledge that he has clinched the year-end world No. 1 ranking for the second year in succession.
The ATP confirmed on Monday that the Serb will finish 2012 as the No. 1 player in the world. In 2011, Djokovic was the undisputed No. 1, winning 10 titles, including three Grand Slams.
Djokovic is the first man to repeat as No. 1 since Roger Federer held the position for four straight seasons — from 2004 to 2007.
Federer has no chance of returning to the top after the loss to Juan Martin del Potro in the Basel final and his withdrawal from the Paris Masters with minor injuries.
In first round play, Italy’s Andreas Seppi got past Martin Klizan 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(5) while Kevin Anderson eased past Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci 6-2, 6-1.
In another tie, France’s Julien Benneteau was a 6-4, 7-5 winner over Viktor Troicki.
The results (first round): Alejandro Falla bt Florian Mayer 7-6(3), 6-2; Julien Benneteau bt Viktor Troicki 6-4, 7-5; Jerzy Janowicz bt Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6(5), 6-4; Kevin Anderson bt Thomaz Belluci 6-2, 6-1; Carlos Berlocq bt Denis Istomin 7-6(2), 6-2; Andreas Seppi bt Martin Klizan 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(5); Marcel Granollers bt Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-3. — Agencies
