Youzhny, ranked 17th in the ATP Race, is one of 18 players fighting for the two remaining spots for the Nov. 11-18 season-finale in Shanghai which features the world's top eight.

Clement fought back from a break down in the first set but showed signs of nerves throughout and eventually bowed out with a double fault on match point.

Earlier, American Mardy Fish [ Images ] fired 19 aces to knock out Dmitry Tursunov [ Images ] 7-6, 6-4, his third victory in as many encounters with the Russian.

Each of the world's top 20 except number five Andy Roddick [ Images ] have entered the indoor event in Paris.

The seeds have a first-round bye and will not appear at the Bercy hall before Tuesday.