Gilles Simon defeats Nicolas Mahut at Paris Masters

Gilles Simon has beaten fellow Frenchman Nicolas Mahut in three sets in the second round of the Paris Masters.

The world number 56 will now face defending champion David Ferrer with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Simon came through the opening set 6-3 before Mahut rallied to level the match by taking the second 7-5 in a tie-break.

Despite failing to convert a match point deep in the decider, Simon closed out the match 7-3 in another tie-break with nearly three hours on the clock.