Djokovic Fights Back to Keep ATP Finals Dream Alive in Paris

Novak Djokovic is not done yet. Trailing by a set and a break, battling a shoulder issue and chasing a Turin place, the 39-year-old turned the Paris Masters opener around. It was gritty, it was tense, and it keeps his season-ending hopes flickering.

A Comeback Built on Grit

Djokovic needed all of his experience to beat Valentin Vacerot 6-7 (7-5) 7-5 6-1 in the first round. The Serb found himself behind early against an opponent brimming with confidence after winning the Swiss Indoors title in Basel last week.

He then received treatment on his shoulder during the second set. Many would have wilted, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion dug in.

Djokovic cut down his unforced errors and made Vacerot hit one extra ball again and again. Slowly, the pressure shifted, and Vacerot faltered when it mattered most.

Oldest Winner in Paris Masters History

The victory carries a historic tag. Djokovic became the oldest man to win a match at the Paris Masters, adding another line to an already enormous résumé.

He was honest about the effort afterwards. Not the freshest out there after two and a half hours but I am glad to turned this match around, he told Sky Sports.

“Vacherot won in Basel and had a lot of confidence. You could feel that. His third serve is quicker than my first so it is very difficult. You try and find a way.”

The ATP Finals Race: What Djokovic Needs

The stakes are huge. Djokovic lost in the last 16 in Basel, leaving a tough task to qualify for the ATP Finals for a 17th time. He is currently 11th in the standings.

With Jannik Sinner out injured for the rest of the season, Djokovic needs to finish in the top nine. He will likely need to reach the semi-finals in Paris to have a realistic chance.

Who Is Standing in His Way?

The chasing pack is crowded. Spain’s Rafael Jodar currently sits ninth, while Flavio Coboli, Arthur Fils, Frances Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur are all above Djokovic and also hoping to secure their place.

Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton and Daniil Medvedev are already guaranteed to be playing in Turin.

What Comes Next in Paris

Djokovic faces Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata in round two. A potential third-round meeting with De Minaur looms, and that clash could directly shape the race for Turin.

He has not featured in the ATP Finals in the past two seasons because of injury. The last time he missed out on merit was 2017, which shows how rare this scenario is for the Serb.

Other Results from Paris

Britain’s Wimbledon semi-finalist Arthur Fery lost 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 to home favourite Quentin Halys. Both men held serve throughout the opening set before Halys won the tie-break after saving two set points.

The Frenchman then fended off two early break points in the second set, earned a timely break, and sealed the win with an ace. He now meets seventh seed Tiafoe, who had a first-round bye.

Fery reached a career-high ranking of 32 this season and narrowly missed his first ATP 250 title, losing the Winston-Salem Open final to Ignacio Buse in August.

British interest in Paris ended later when Cameron Norrie lost 6-3 6-4 to American third seed Shelton.

The Bottom Line

Djokovic is still below his best, but he is still finding a way. With the Turin race tight and every round vital, each match from here is effectively a must-win. Can the seven-time ATP Finals champion complete one more late push?