Berdych keeps his hopes alive

Tomas Berdych kept his hopes alive for qualifying for the Barclays ATP World Tour finals at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris.

He survived a tight second-round match against Joao Sousa to advance, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

A single break of serve in each of the first two sets was all that was needed to force a deciding set.

In a lengthy final game Sousa eventually handed Berdych the opening set when he sent a backhand return wide.

Berdych then dropped his game in the second set and the Portuguese took full advantage and was able to win 11 of the final 12 points of the set to force a decider.

In third set, both players traded routine service holds until 6-5 when Berdych broke Sousa to clinch the match.

Earlier in the day, John Isner validated his place in the second round of the Masters.

The American eliminated Mischa Zverev in straight sets 7-6 6-4.

It was not an easy outing for the American as he faced great resistance from the German.

In a very close meeting, Isner managed to take the lead after the first set went into a tie breaker in the second set the American was too strong for Zverev to win the set 6-4 comfortably.

Isner will meet Spaniard David Ferrer in the next round.

Nicolas Mahut won his ticket to the second round. He needed three sets to dispose of Martin Klizan 4-6 6-4 6-3.

Despite suffering the first set it took some aggression to see himself finally get into the match and turn the tide to pocket the second 6-4.

The third set was almost flawless to reach the second round of the Paris tournament.

In the next round he will face David Goffin to try to reach the third round.