Novak Djokovic stepped back onto a tennis court for the first time in nearly two months and produced a trademark win to start his campaign at the Paris Masters on Wednesday.
The world No. 1 who looks set to hold onto his position to the end of the season after the opening-round loss here of Carlos Alcaraz, had no trouble in sending out Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 6-2 in 85 minutes.
Djokovic played the final here a year ago, losing to Danish young gun Holger Rune.
The 36-year-old Djokovic is among five players qualified for the eight-man ATP Finals starting a week from Sunday in Turin.
Djokovic needed three match points to reach the third round, advancing as his Argentine opponent fired a return long.
The ATP No. 1 leads Carlos Alcaraz by 580 points in the season points race; a seventh career title here on Sunday could extend the comfort zone to 1,495.
Djokovic broke Etcheverry three times as he improved to 46-9 record at the indoor event in the capital.
The Serb is seeking a record-extending 40th Masters 1000 trophy; he stands a formidable 47-5 on the season.
