Novak Djokovic sets record as oldest Paris Masters match winner
The 39-year-old tennis star overcame Valentin Vacherot in a grueling three-set battle to keep his ATP Finals qualification hopes alive.
Novak Djokovic made history on Tuesday at the Paris Masters by becoming the oldest match winner in the tournament's history, defeating Monaco's Valentin Vacherot 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-1 in the opening round. The hard-fought victory keeps the 39-year-old's ambitions alive as he chases a spot at the prestigious ATP Finals in Turin.
Entering the French capital as the 10th seed, Djokovic faced an unusual challenge due to the tournament's rule giving first-round byes only to the top eight seeds. This marked the first time since his tournament debut in 2005 that the record seven-time Paris champion had to play through the opening round without a bye.
The demanding matchup pitted Djokovic against an in-form opponent who entered the contest riding a five-match tour-level winning streak after capturing the title in Basel. Vacherot capitalized on a tense opening set, taking advantage of a missed forehand volley by Djokovic in the tiebreak to secure the first set.
As the physical intensity mounted, both players required medical attention during the match. Djokovic received a medical timeout for a shoulder issue while trailing 2-1 in the second set, and Vacherot subsequently needed treatment for an ankle problem that visibly restricted his movement on the court.
Capitalizing on his opponent's physical limitations, Djokovic shifted the momentum, leveled the match, and dominated the final set. He completed the comeback victory in two hours and 35 minutes, displaying trademark resilience during physically demanding rallies.
Reflecting on the contest in his on-court interview, Djokovic acknowledged the difficulty of facing a strong server who afforded him very few breaking opportunities. "I expected a match like this to be honest, with very few opportunities to break for me," he stated, adding that reading his opponent's serve proved challenging for the first set and a half.
Currently sitting 11th in the ATP Live Race to Turin, Djokovic is aiming for a 17th appearance at the year-end championship. With the tournament scheduled for November 15-22, the veteran competitor will next face Australia's Rinky Hijikata in Paris as he looks to secure enough points to qualify.