PARIS — In his first match since returning from a four-month doping ban, Marin Cilic beat Dutch qualifier Igor Sijsling 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 Monday to reach the second round of the Paris Masters. The Croatian served 22 aces and hit 42 winners to only 17 for Sijsling. Cilic tested positive for a banned stimulant in May but claimed he had not intended to and got it in a glucose tablet bought at a pharmacy. World No. 1 Rafael Nadal who was not in action Monday said he was pleased to see Cilic back on tour. “One thing I can say is I'm happy to see Marin back on tour. He's a good guy and a great player. “I don't know what happened but if he's back, it's because it's fair that he's back. That's all. I'm happy for that.” Feliciano Lopez of Spain, Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic, Dutch qualifier Robin Haase and Colombian qualifier Santiago Giraldo also advanced to the next round. Lopez outlasted Bernard Tomic of Australia 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (1). The Spaniard failed to serve out the match at 5-4 in the second set but he recovered in the tiebreaker of the third set by winning the last six points. Lopez will now meet Stanislas Wawrinka with the Swiss seventh seed looking to wrap up his first ever appearance at the London Masters with a good run this week. Wawrinka is battling with compatriot Roger Federer, and French duo Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfrid Tsonga for the final tickets to the eight-man tournament in the English capital. Rosol beat Jeremy Chardy of France 6-3, 6-4, Haase defeated Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 7-6 (8), 6-3, and Giraldo edged French wild-card Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Rosol, who booted out Rafael Nadal in the second round of Wimbledon last year, managed to get an early break of serve, which gave him a comfortable cushion in the opening set. While Chardy displayed some impressive shots across the court during his service games, Rosol was able to stay on top and take a one-set lead. Chardy looked to respond in the second set by holding his serve well, but once again, Rosol nabbed a break, which allowed him to push on and win the match. French No. 1 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has, meanwhile, chosen compatriots Nicolas Escude and Thierry Ascione as his new joint coaches, replacing Roger Rasheed. Serena sees better years ahead Serena Williams believes her best years may still be ahead of her after she ended 2013 in record-breaking style Sunday. The 32-year-old American successfully defended her WTA Championships title, beating Li Na, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, to finish 2013 with a 78th victory against just four losses, and 11th title of the year. Serena finished the campaign with prize money of $12,385,572, shattering the all-time women's record set last year by Victoria Azarenka, who won $7,923,920. It's also the third-highest single season prize money total in tennis history, men's and women's — only Novak Djokovic's 2011 and 2012 totals are higher. She is the fourth player ever to win four or more titles at the season-ending event and the oldest champion. Serena is also the first player to win 11 WTA titles in a season since 1997 when Martina Hingis won 12. Worryingly for her flagging rivals, she now boasts a record of winning 32 of her last 34 matches against top five players. Furthermore, Sunday's triumph may just persuade Serena that adding to her 17 Grand Slam titles during 2014 is certainly possible, and that winning another six, to overhaul Steffi Graf, might eventually come within reach too. But Serena declined to say whether or not 2013 was her best year. “I live to win Slams,” she said. “I am excited to win the WTA Championships, but I would say (this season is) only top three. “I am not going to say that this is the best. I think some years I can do better and next year, I hope — I look forward to it.” Serena, who will turn 33 next September, did agree, however, that she might reduce the number of tournaments on her schedule in 2014 after playing more than 80 matches this year. “I think 15 is a bare minimum ... definitely not more, maybe one or two fewer, maybe 13 or 14.” — Agencies
