Djokovic Salvages ATP Finals Hopes With Dramatic Comeback Win at Paris Masters
Novak Djokovic beat Valentin Vacherot 6-7 7-5 6-1 to keep ATP Finals hopes alive, while Arthur Fery exits and Jodie Burrage loses in Chennai.
Novak Djokovic preserved his chances of reaching the season-ending ATP Finals with a resilient victory in Paris. The seven-time champion rallied from a set and a break down to defeat Valentin Vacherot. The match concluded with a scoreline of 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-1.
Djokovic, currently 11th in the Race To Turin on 2,940 points, requires a semi-final run to qualify. He must finish inside the top nine to secure a place in Turin. Rafael Jodar, who remains in the draw, sits ninth on 3,234 points.
Overcoming Physical Challenges
The Serbian star admitted to facing physical difficulties during the intense contest. He overcame a mid-match shoulder issue to secure the crucial win. Speaking on Sky Sports, Djokovic described his physical state candidly.
“Not the freshest but obviously glad to turn this match around,” Djokovic said. He noted that the court conditions differed significantly from the previous year. “It’s very slow and bouncy this year, just super, super quick,” he explained.
Djokovic praised Vacherot’s confidence following his recent Basel title victory. He highlighted the difficulty of facing such a potent server. “His third serve is quicker than my first so it’s very difficult to face someone like that,” Djokovic remarked.
British Star Fery Exited
British No 1 Arthur Fery suffered an early exit despite hitting a career-high ranking. The 22-year-old produced a spectacular between-the-legs drop-shot winner during the match. However, home favourite Quentin Halys proved too strong in the end.
Halys defeated Fery 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 to advance in the tournament. Fery failed to convert two set points in the first-set tie-break. Halys claimed the only break of serve in the second set to seal victory.
Tommy Paul also progressed, defeating Holger Rune 7-5 6-4. Paul is currently 13th in the Race To Turin on 2,775 points. Flavio Cobolli announced his withdrawal from the event via social media.
“I was really hoping I could make it,” Cobolli wrote on Instagram Stories. He explained that discomfort prevented him from training safely. “I don’t want to take any risks.
So I’ve decided to withdraw from Paris.
Chennai Open Upset
British player Jodie Burrage suffered a first-round defeat at the Chennai Open on Tuesday. She faced local wild card Vaishnavi Adkar in a gruelling three-set encounter. Burrage led 5-3 in the deciding set before collapsing.
She lost four consecutive games to fall 3-6 6-3 7-5. The match lasted two hours and 47 minutes. Burrage appeared to struggle with the humid conditions during the contest.
Medical staff attended to Burrage as her opponent prepared to serve for the match. Her blood pressure and oxygen levels were checked. Ice was rubbed on her arms and legs to aid recovery.
Burrage was visibly shaking but managed to resume the contest. She lost the final game to love. This marks her first tour-level loss since Eastbourne last summer.
For the first time since 1978, four British women and four British men are ranked inside the world’s top 100 in the same week. The women include Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, Harriet Dart, and Fran Jones. The men are Arthur Fery, Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, and Toby Samuel.
Djokovic will next face Australian Rinky Hijikata in the second round. The shorter format of the Masters 1000 event adds physical strain. There are no rest days between matches in this tournament.
Eli Nathan
Eli Nathan covers Wales news, politics, community stories, and sports for The National Wales (thenational.wales).
Follow real-time news and explainers on X at @elinathan1122. Reports are verified from official public announcements, emergency authorities, the Met Office, NHS Wales, and established news outlets across Wales.
Corrections and tips: if you spot an error in one of our reports, or have a story you think we should cover, contact the desk at [email protected] or via the contact page.