Novak Djokovic came from a set down to defeat Valentin Vacherot in his Paris opener, winning 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-1. The Serbian also recovered an early break in the second set before taking control of the decider. He next faces Rinky Hijikata while pursuing a place at the season-ending finals in Turin.
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic defeated Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot in his opening match at the Paris Masters, a top-level men’s tour event in France. The match lasted 155 minutes and finished 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-1. Vacherot arrived after winning the previous week’s Basel tournament in Switzerland and took the first set in a tie-break.[1], [2]
The opening set stayed on serve for its first 11 games. Djokovic then saved three consecutive set points before Vacherot won the tie-break. The Serbian lost serve again at the beginning of the second set but broke back in the fourth game to level at 2-2. A further break in the 12th game gave him the set 7-5 and forced a decider.[1]
Djokovic broke twice in the final set and closed it out 6-1. His next opponent is Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata, whom he has beaten in both previous meetings. Paris is Djokovic’s last opportunity to qualify for the season-ending finals of the Association of Tennis Professionals in Turin, Italy. His progress in Paris keeps that qualification attempt alive.[1]
