Novak Djokovic opened up his second round (he had a first round) ready for Halloween.  He dressed up in a Darth Vader mask, perhaps aware that Disney had spent billions acquiring the Star Wars franchise, or maybe it was just coincidence.

He stepped on court knowing that he would end the year at number 1 regardless of what happened between now and the end of the year.  Djokovic already has a 2000 point lead over Federer.  With Federer skipping Paris, the max he could earn between now and the end of the year is 1500 points.

Djokovic started fast enough taking the first set, 6-0.  He had numerous records with that kind of first set dominance.  He had never lost after taking the first set at love.  In 2012, he had not lost after winning the first set, but Sam Querrey had other ideas.  Once he got his bearings, he was able to win a few games and take the second set to a tiebreak which he won, then he got an early break and held it for the upset.

Querrey has been a bit absent at the top of the ranks due to an injury that kept him fairly scarce last year and he’s been slow to get back up the ranks, but this has been his best effort this year.

To be fair, Djokovic might have his eyes set on London.  Djokovic admitted in a press-conference that his life hasn’t been as smooth as he’d hoped, suggesting both personal drama as well as some illness he may be overcoming.  It seems a player of Djokovic’s personality seems to get into the kind of personal issues that a Federer or Murray avoids, though being their private lives, it’s hard to tell.

Ever since Kevin Anderson announced the reasons he wouldn’t play a Davis Cup tie shortly after the US Open, his play has dipped.  However, lately, he’s been getting more wins, and today he backed up a first round win over talented Thomaz Bellucci with the equally talented Richard Gasquet, beating the Frenchman in three sets.

Andy Murray returned back to court after not playing since Shanghai.  He had been scheduled to play Basel but withdrew before the tournament started.  He said he had fallen ill around Shanghai and needed to take a week off to recover before beginning practice again.  Murray took on the resurgent Paul-Henri Mathieu whose injuries had left him, at one point, unranked, but Mathieu is quickly climbing back up the ranks.  Even so, Murray was able to control the match and take a straight set win.

David Ferrer continues his hard court dominance.  Last week, the diminutive Spaniard defended his Valencia title and opened with a pounding of Spaniard, Marcel Granollers, in straight sets.

Michael Llodra beat the higher ranked John Isner in straight sets.  Americans have typically struggled after the US Open.  Mardy Fish hasn’t been seen much since the US Open.

Milos Raonic beat Jeremy Chardy in three sets, two of which went to tiebreak.  Juan Martin del Potro had a comfortable straight set win over Alejandro Falla.

Tomorrow, all the players see action again in third round matches.