Intro:

World number one Novak Djokovic (SER) overcomes Gilles Simon (FRA) and American Steve Johnson defeats Benoit Paire (FRA) in the Cincinnati Masters second round.

Script:

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic needed three sets to overcome Gilles Simon in the Cincinnati Masters second round on Tuesday.

The Serbian hit this forehand winner on the way to breaking Simon and claiming the opening set.

The world number 31 took the second to level the match but Djokovic proved too strong and won 6-3 4-6 6-4. Next up for the 28-year-old is Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

Should Djokovic triumph in Ohio this week, he would become the first singles player to complete a career sweep of all nine World Tour Masters tournaments.

Also playing in America was Steve Johnson, who made the most of home support against Frenchman Benoit Paire.

The Californian won the first set before storming into a 5-1 lead in the second.

Johnson then rattled off an ace to seal the match 6-4 6-1. The world number 55 -- who started playing tennis with balloons -- floats into the third round, where he'll take on Latvian Ernests Gulbis.