Djokovic Keeps ATP Finals Hopes Alive With Comeback at Paris Masters

Novak Djokovic kept his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals alive by beating Monegasque player Valentin Vacherot in the first round of the Rolex Paris Masters. Djokovic, who was trailing by a set and a break early in the match, won in three sets.

Vacherot pushed Djokovic hard. Djokovic had a problem with his shoulder in the middle of the match, but he recovered and got past his opponent. Djokovic said he did not feel physically very good, but he was pleased to have turned the match around. He also noted that Vacherot was playing only a few days after his title win in Basel and looked very solid on serve.

Djokovic is 11th in the Race To Turin rankings with 2,940 points. To take part in the season-ending tournament in Turin, he needs to finish in the top nine. Rafael Jodar, who is ninth, has 3,234 points, a gap of 294 points. For Djokovic to reach this goal, he must reach at least the semifinals in Paris. In the first round he will face Australia's Rinky Hijikata.

Britain's No. 1 player, Arthur Fery, hit the best shot of the match with his career-high world ranking of No. 32. His drop shot hit between his legs was a winner. However, host player Quentin Halys won 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 and knocked Fery out of the tournament.