Novak Djokovic has revealed he is struggling with illness after beating Corentin Moutet at the Paris Masters.
The top seed was sluggish in the first set and was broken by Moutet after a volley into the net.
Moutet failed to take two set points and then served for it at 5-4 but produced an error-strewn game and was broken.
It proved costly because it allowed Djokovic rediscover himself and he won the set in a tiebreak 7-2.
In the second set, Djokovic broke Moutet twice and although the French player gained one of the breaks back, it was not enough as the world Not served out the match comfortably.
Djokovic will now face Britain’s Kyle Edmund on Thursday and was just happy to get through.
“I didn’t feel health-wise 100 per cent in the last couple of days, but it is what it is,” Djokovic said.
“It’s not the first time I didn’t play at a really high level. Lots of errors, especially in the first set.
“First time against a young player who is talented, very quick. Returns a lot of balls back that usually other guys wouldn’t get, he gets it.
“And he was pumped, and I respect his fighting spirit.
“It was a good match in the end, and I found a way to win, which in [these] circumstances when you’re not feeling your best, is important.”
Moutet missed a big opportunity by failing to serve out the first set and not taking advantage of an out-of-form Djokovic.
“I’m disappointed. I enjoyed myself playing very much against Novak with the crowd [cheering] us,” Moutet said.
“There are a few opportunities that I missed, but next time.”
Edmund set up the match against Djokovic by beating Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman 7-5 6-3.
