RAFAEL NADAL KING OF TENNIS

2019 Rolex Paris Masters R2 Rafael Nadal bt. Adrian Mannarino  7-5  6-4

Next opponent - Stan Wawrinka 

(AP) U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal, who is battling with his old rival Djokovic for the year-end No. 1 ranking, won 7-5, 6-4 win against unseeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. The second-seeded Spaniard next faces Stan Wawrinka, with an 18-3 lead in their career meetings.

"My serve worked very well during the whole match, I think I played at the right level," said Nadal, who had eight aces. "Not easy to come back after a while without being on the tour. Tomorrow is another day, another tough match against Stan. Every day on this tournament is so difficult."

Nadal can guarantee the year-end No. 1 position for the fifth time in his career by winning this tournament.

Photos: FFT; EFE; Getty Images; Panoramic; Anadolu Agency; REUTERS; Abaca; MAXPPP; Xinhua

• Last game

• Press conference