Veteran Spaniard Feliciano Lopez served up a treat in the opening game of the Rolex Paris Masters on Monday, coming through in straight sets against Serb Filip Krajinovic. Lopez will run into compatriot and 20-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal, who will be bidding for 1000th tour-level win.

Speaking ahead of the mouth-watering clash, Lopez said, “I feel fortunate to remain competitive. My body has accompanied me these years and I hope to make a good game for Rafa.”

While the eventual scorecard stood at 7-6 (11), 6-1, it wasn’t smooth sailing for the 63rd-ranked Lopez in the first set as he survived seven set points against his 30th-ranked opponent. 

Rolex Paris Masters: Lopez survives seven set points to set up Rafael Nadal clash

Carrying his good form and momentum from the Erste Bank Open in Vienna into the Masters, Krajinovic was off to a blazing start, opening up a 3-0 lead in the opening set. 

The oldest player in the tournament at 39, Lopez broke back and leveled at 3-3. Serving well, he eventually forced the first set into a tie-breaker and won it 13-11. 

Even in the opening set tie-break, Krajinovic threatened to pull away with a 5-0 lead. However, Lopez, bringing his experience to the fore, leveled the score at 5-5, saving seven set points. 

The second set was more of a breeze for Lopez. Having lost the closely fought opening set, Krajinovic seemed deflated. He struggled with his serve and even his ground strokes didn’t come off.

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Lopez broke his serve and opened up a commanding lead before closing out the set and match. 

“Ready to full schedule again”: Feliciano Lopez after Paris Masters win

Sharing his thoughts on the opening-day win at the Paris Masters, Lopez said, “I’m ready to play full schedule again [next year]. I feel great on the court. As soon as I’m physically ready, I think I can still compete.”

In the second Masters tie, 24th-ranked Serbian Borna Coric got the better of 52nd-ranked Hungarian Marton Fucsovics by an almost identical scoreline. 

After winning the opening set tie-break, Coric breezed through the second with the eventual scoreline reading 7-6 (5), 6-1.