Djokovic wins in Paris to keep ATP Finals hopes alive
Novak Djokovic came from behind to beat Valentin Vacherot in the first round of the Paris Masters, BBC Sport and The Independent report. The win keeps alive his late bid to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin. Djokovic, 39, became the oldest man to win a match at the Paris Masters, the BBC says.
Djokovic won 6-7, 7-5, 6-1 after trailing by a set and a break, BBC Sport reports. He received treatment on his shoulder in the second set, the BBC says.
Vacherot won the Swiss Indoors title in Basel last week, The Independent reports. Djokovic took a medical timeout for his right shoulder before winning back the break, the paper says.
“Not the freshest out there after two and a half hours but I am glad to turned this match around,” Djokovic said on Sky Sports, the BBC reports.
Djokovic is 11th in the standings and needs to finish in the top nine to qualify, with Jannik Sinner out injured for the rest of the season, the BBC says. He likely needs to reach the semifinals in Paris to have a chance, the BBC reports.
He is playing the final Masters 1000 event of the season for the first time in three years, The Independent reports. The eight-man ATP Finals take place in Turin later this month.
Players including Rafael Jodar, Flavio Coboli, Arthur Fils, Frances Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur are also chasing places, the BBC says.
Djokovic, who next plays Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata, could meet De Minaur in the third round, the BBC reports. He last missed the ATP Finals on merit in 2017, the BBC says in its report.
What we know: Djokovic won his first match in Paris and is still in the race for Turin.
What we don't: Whether he can go deep enough in Paris to qualify.
Where outlets agree BBC Sport and The Independent report Djokovic's comeback win over Vacherot in Paris.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.