Paris - World number four Andy Murray was forced to switch tactics on the fast indoor court as he came from a set down to sink Argentine David Nalbandian 2-6 6-4 6-3 in the Paris Masters second round on Wednesday.
There were also straight-sets victories for second seed Novak Djokovic and number eight Andy Roddick.
Murray made an early exit in Valencia last week and looked sluggish again as he lost serve in the third and fifth games after struggling to adapt to the super-fast conditions like many of his rivals this week.
“I haven't played on a quicker court since since I've been on the tour,” Murray told reporters. “I was struggling to control the ball, and then changed the tension on my rackets ... and felt a lot more comfortable,” he said, adding that he decided to serve and volley as a result of the conditions.
Nalbandian, a former Paris winner, visibly tired after having his serve broken at the end of the second set.
At 2-2 in the third the Briton called for the trainer to massage his right wrist and that galvanised him to take four of the last five games.
“I think I should be okay for the rest of the tournament,” the Scot said. “I managed to finish the match and normally, if your wrist injury is bad you can't.”
Murray next plays 13th-seeded Croatian Marin Cilic who beat Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4 4-6 6-3.
Serb Djokovic was also in trouble early on against Argentine Juan Monaco before recovering to win 6-4 6-3.
FAST COURT
“It's a very fast court ... a lot more different than last year and it's quite a change that you have to adjust to,” said defending champion Djokovic.
“It's rare to find a very fast court these days.”
Djokovic's next test will be against Frenchman Michael Llodra, who he could face in the Davis Cup final in December.
Llodra, who is contention with Gilles Simon, Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils for one two singles spots in Belgrade, comfortably dispatched 16th seed John Isner 6-3 6-4.
Roddick breezed past Finnish qualifier Jarkko Nieminen 6-1 6-4 to set up a meeting with Latvian Ernests Gulbis.
The big-hitting American is trying to qualify for this month's ATP Tour Finals in London and holds the last remaining spot ahead of Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, who is also in contention.
“Every match I win is significant at this point ... it puts pressure on the guys behind me,” said Roddick.
“The last thing you want is to be at home cheering against somebody hoping that something bad happens to them.”
Roddick fired nine aces as his serve and volley game prevailed on the quick surface.
Elsewhere number 10 seed Nikolay Davydenko eased passed Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci 6-3 6-0 and now meets Tomas Berdych in the third round. - Reuters