Djokovic Beats Vacherot in Paris to Stay in Turin Race

Novak Djokovic comes back from a set and a break down against the Basel champion and stays in the race for the ATP Finals.

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Novak Djokovic came back from a set and a break down to beat Basel champion Valentin Vacherot 6–7(5), 7–5, 6–1 in the first round of the Paris Masters.

Djokovic, 39, took a medical timeout for a shoulder problem at 1–2 in the second set and broke back for 2–2. Vacherot took a medical timeout for an ankle problem at 3–4 and moved less freely after it.

Vacherot hit 22 aces, but Djokovic pulled away in the third set and won in two hours and 36 minutes, ending Vacherot's five-match winning streak.

He is 11th in the race for the ATP Finals in Turin, on 2,940 points, and must finish in the top nine to qualify. Rafael Jodar, ninth on 3,234 points, lost to Casper Ruud 6–3, 6–4. Djokovic plays Rinky Hijikata next. Ben Shelton beat Cameron Norrie 6–3, 6–4, and Tommy Paul beat Holger Rune 7–5, 6–4.

Novak Djokovic came back from a set and a break down to beat Basel champion Valentin Vacherot 6⁠–⁠7(5), 7⁠–⁠5, 6⁠–⁠1 in the first round of the Paris Masters.

Djokovic, 39, took a medical timeout for a shoulder problem at 1⁠–⁠2 in the second set and broke back for 2⁠–⁠2.

Vacherot took a medical timeout for an ankle problem at 3⁠–⁠4 and moved less freely after it. He hit 22 aces, but Djokovic pulled away in the third set and won in two hours and 36 minutes, ending Vacherot's five-match winning streak.

Vacherot had beaten him in Shanghai last year.

"I am still there, still hanging on and still giving it whatever I can, trying to find my best level when it matters," Djokovic said.

He is 11th in the race for the ATP Finals in Turin, on 2,940 points, and must finish in the top nine to qualify. Rafael Jodar, ninth on 3,234 points, lost to Casper Ruud 6⁠–⁠3, 6⁠–⁠4.

Djokovic plays Rinky Hijikata next.

Ben Shelton beat Cameron Norrie 6⁠–⁠3, 6⁠–⁠4, and Tommy Paul beat Holger Rune 7⁠–⁠5, 6⁠–⁠4.

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