Paris: Novak Djokovic kept his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals alive with a hard-fought comeback victory over Valentin Vacherot in the first round of the Paris Masters.
The seven-time champion rallied from a set down to beat the Monaco player 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-1, overcoming a difficult start to secure his place in the second round.
Djokovic faced a stern test in the opening set, with neither player able to break serve. The Serbian saved three set points at 5-6 to force a tiebreak. But Vacherot, who won the Swiss Indoors last week, held his nerve to win the first set.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion found himself under pressure again in the second set. Serving at 4-4, he saved three break points to prevent Vacherot from moving within a game of victory.
Djokovic eventually broke back to level the match, although both players required medical attention during the set. The Serbian received treatment on his right shoulder, while Vacherot had his left ankle strapped. With momentum on his side, Djokovic broke early in the deciding set and took control of the contest. He sealed the victory on his second match point with a two-handed backhand winner down the line. The 39-year-old’s victory also made him the oldest man to win a match at the Paris Masters.
Djokovic Praises Vacherot's Serve
Speaking after the match, Djokovic admitted he had struggled to read Vacherot's serve, who fired 22 aces during the contest. "He has a tremendous serve. It is huge, both first and second. For a set and a half, I had difficulty reading his serve and even if I guessed right, it was coming with some speed. It is hard to play someone like that, doesn't give you many opportunities and puts additional pressure on your service games," Djokovic said in his on-court interview.
Despite the physical demands of the match, Djokovic was pleased with his performance in the deciding set. "The third set was really good but very tiring physically, a lot of long rallies... I am still there, still hanging on and still giving it whatever I can, trying to find my best level when it matters."
Djokovic delivers yet again ✍️🫶A record 18th @RolexPMasters campaign is up and running for @DjokerNole #RolexParisMasters https://t.co/uiDuP58738
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 3, 2026
Djokovic's ATP Finals Qualification Hopes
Djokovic is currently 11th in the ATP Live Race to Turin and is chasing a place at the season-ending ATP Finals for the 17th time. With Jannik Sinner ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury, Djokovic must finish inside the top nine in the Live Race to secure qualification.
Spain's Rafael Jodar is currently in ninth place, while Flavio Cobolli, Arthur Fils, Frances Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur are also ahead of the Serbian in the standings. Djokovic could face De Minaur in the third round in Paris, provided both players win their next matches. The Serbian will take on Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata in the second round.
Djokovic has missed the ATP Finals in each of the past two seasons due to injury. His last failure to qualify on merit came in 2017.
