Djokovic edges Vacherot at Paris Masters to stay in ATP Finals hunt

Novak Djokovic kept alive his bid to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin by rallying from a set and a break down to defeat Valentin Vacherot 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-1 in the first round of the Paris Masters on Tuesday. The 39-year-old Serbian, seeded 10th and currently 11th in the Race to Turin, required treatment for a shoulder issue during the second set but regrouped to outlast the Basel champion after two hours and 36 minutes.

Vacherot, who won the Swiss Indoors title on Sunday and beat Djokovic in the Shanghai Masters semifinals last year, arrived in Paris with momentum and served with exceptional firepower, striking 22 aces. Djokovic struggled early to read the Monegasque's powerful serve, which he described as faster than his own first serve given the fast court conditions this year. After losing the opening tiebreak on a missed forehand volley at 5-4, Djokovic was immediately broken in the second set and fell further behind before beginning his recovery.

Vacherot required a medical timeout for an ankle issue in the second set, and his movement deteriorated as the match progressed. Djokovic capitalised by breaking back for 2-2 and then controlling the decisive third set, moving his opponent side to side and breaking early to seize momentum. He sealed the win on his second match point with a backhand winner down the line.

Djokovic now stands at 11th in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin with 2,940 points but must finish in the top nine to qualify. He requires at least a semi-final run at Paris to maintain realistic qualification hopes, with only an ATP 250 event remaining in Stockholm after this tournament. Rafael Jodar, still competing in Paris, holds ninth place with 3,234 points, 294 points ahead of Djokovic. Djokovic next faces Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata in the second round.

Elsewhere at the Paris Masters, third-seeded Ben Shelton defeated Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4 to advance, and Casper Ruud upset Rafael Jodar 6-3, 6-4, dealing a significant blow to the Spaniard's Finals qualification prospects. Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz also recorded victories to keep their Turin hopes alive.