Novak Djokovic defeated Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3 in Sunday’s final to win a record-extending seventh Paris Masters title and close in on securing the year-end No. 1 ranking for an eighth time.
Djokovic eclipsed his previous record set two years ago as the tournament’s oldest champion, capturing his 40th Masters 1000 title and stretching his winning run to 18 matches.
Djokovic collected his sixth title of the season to draw level with Carlos Alcaraz, adding to three Grand Slams and the Masters victory in Cincinnati, Ohio, that set him up for a landmark 24th major crown at the US Open.
Photo: EPA-EFE
“It’s incredible. To be able to win it after quite challenging circumstances for me this week,” said Djokovic, who had been hit by a stomach virus that left him feeling under the weather in Paris.
“Considering what happened in the last six, seven days ... this win has more weight and more value and it’s extra sweeter,” he said. “It’s one of those weeks where you just have to accept the circumstances and fight to survive another day.”
Djokovic was taken to three sets in each of his three previous rounds, but did not face a single break point against the 17th-ranked Dimitrov.
“Basically, coming back from the brink of losing three matches in a row, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I was very close to losing those matches and somehow managed to find an extra gear when it was needed,” Djokovic said.
It is the second time Djokovic has completed a French Open and Paris Masters double in the same season. Andre Agassi is the only other player to achieve it.
Djokovic’s seventh Bercy crown makes it his most successful Masters event. He is to take a 1,490-point lead over Alcaraz into the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin later this month. He needs just one win there to guarantee he finishes the year as the top-ranked player.
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