British number one Andy Murray stayed on course for a Masters Cup berth by beating Finn Jarkko Nieminen 7-6 6-3 in the Paris Masters second round yesterday.

Murray, the 15th seed in the $2.45 million indoor event, stepped up a gear after a tight first set to clinch a meeting with Serb Novak Djokovic or Frenchman Fabrice Santoro.

The 20-year-old Scot, who won his third career title on Sunday in Russia, is one of several players fighting for the two remaining spots at the Nov. 11-18 season-finale in Shanghai featuring the world's top eight.

Murray took the first-set tiebreak 7-5 when Nieminen hit a backhand into the net.

Nieminen broke serve in the fourth game of the second set but the Briton hit back immediately before capturing the Finn's serve again in the seventh game.

Murray, who escaped unhurt from a car accident in Paris on Monday, stayed in control until Nieminen bowed out with an unforced error on the second match point.

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