Novak Djokovic on Saturday rallied to defeat Andrey Rublev 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 in a gripping Paris Masters semi-final, earning a shot at a record-extending seventh title in the final against Grigor Dimitrov.
The world No. 1 relied on his unflinching powers of recovery to work his way back from a set down before sealing victory when fifth seed Rublev doubled-faulted on match point.
“Rublev was suffocating me like a snake suffocates a frog for most of the match,” Djokovic said. “He was playing an extremely high level that he possesses, but today he was off the charts, honestly. I don’t think I’ve ever faced Rublev this good.”
Photo: Reuters
Djokovic remains undefeated in nine semi-final appearances at Bercy and stretched his winning run to 17 matches — a streak that includes his record-tying 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open.
His only defeat in his past 31 matches was a five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, which ruined his bid for a calendar Grand Slam.
Djokovic broke to start the match only for Rublev to hit back the next game, drawing a loose backhand from the Serbian at the end of a lengthy rally. The top seed produced some clutch serving to escape a 0-40 hole to hold for 4-4, but Rublev took his next opportunity with Djokovic trying to stay in the set. Rublev punished a weak second serve to bring up set point, and he soon surged ahead as Djokovic botched a drop shot attempt.
Photo: Reuters
Djokovic fought off a break point early in the second set, but failed to convert any of his four opportunities against a resilient Rublev.
The 36-year-old clung on to win a grueling point dictated by Rublev to move 4-2 up in the tie-break, then ripped a return winner off his rival’s serve to produce three set points. He only needed one, belting an ace out wide to send the match to a third set.
Djokovic received treatment on his back between sets, but did not appear to be hindered as he carved out two break points in the fourth game. Rublev resisted until Djokovic cranked up the pressure with the Russian serving to stay in the match.
Djokovic cracked a sensational backhand winner to start the final game and imposed his will against a faltering Rublev, who hurled his racquet in disgust after a double fault sealed his fate.
Earlier in the day, Dimitrov kept up his late-season charge by squeezing past Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-7 (1/7), 7-6 (7/3).
In women’s tennis, Jessica Pegula beat Coco Gauff to reach the WTA Finals title match, but continuing weather woes saw Aryna Sabalenka’s clash with Iga Swiatek suspended by rain.
World No. 1 Sabalenka and No. 2 Swiatek had played just three games when rain blew in, halting a match between players fighting for the year-end No. 1 ranking.
Pegula shook off a late rain delay and windy conditions to dispatch US Open champion Gauff, her doubles partner, in an hour.
“I executed what I wanted to do really well,” Pegula said. “In the windy conditions, I think it worked even better.”
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