Mahut pays tribute to Bercy ambiance in fightback

Nicolas Mahut hailed the ‘Bercy effect’ on French players after battling back from a set down to reach the second round at the Paris Masters. Mahut, 34, beat Martin Klizan from Slovakia 4-6 6-4 6-3 in just under two hours to set up a second round clash with the eighth seeded Belgian David Goffin.

Twelfth seed Richard Gasquet is one of five French men in the second round at the Paris Masters. Reuters/Damir Sagolj

The victory means Mahut is one of five local lads in the last 32 at the tournament.

“Some players just give up when they’re down in their match because they think it is the end of the season,” said Mahut after his win. “The French players don’t do that here. We like playing here.”

Mahut, who is also competing in the doubles at the Paris Masters with partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert, added: “This is a very important tournament for all the French players. We have a tiring season but we are lucky to be able to end the season here in France.”

By reaching the second round in the singles, the Frenchman equals the achievement of his visits in 2013 and 2011.

Before then Bercy had not been the happiest of hunting grounds with only two first round wins at the arena in south-eastern Paris in 2003 and 2007.

“This tournament has always been in my dreams,” he added. “I came here when I was very young and when I started practising, I came to see the matches and I dreamed of playing in the stadium. It’s a privilege for us to be able to play here.”