Djokovic, 39, beats Vacherot to become oldest match winner at Paris Masters, keeps ATP Finals hopes alive

Novak Djokovic recovered from a set down to beat in-form Valentin Vacherot 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-1 in the first round of the Paris Masters on Tuesday, becoming the oldest player to win a match at the tournament.

The 39-year-old Serbian, seeded 10th, needed two hours and 35 minutes to get past the Monegasque, who arrived in Paris on a five-match winning streak after taking the Basel title on Sunday. Tennis Majors reported that Djokovic overtook Jimmy Connors, who was also 39 when he won a match at the event in 1991.

Turning point at 4-4

Vacherot, who beat Djokovic in the 2025 Shanghai Masters semi-finals on his way to a surprise title, served 22 aces and took a tight opening-set tie-break. The match swung when Djokovic saved three break points while serving at 4-4 in the second set, then broke at 6-5 to level.

Both players received medical attention during the second set, Djokovic for his right shoulder and Vacherot for his left ankle. Djokovic broke early in the decider and sealed the win on his second match point with a backhand down the line.

He admitted afterwards that he struggled to read Vacherot's serve for much of the match and described the court as far quicker than last year, calling it 'like ice'. Reflecting on doubts about his age, he quipped: 'For an old guy, not so bad, huh?'

Race to Turin

The win also ended a run of four straight defeats at Masters 1000 level for Djokovic, his longest such streak, according to Tennis Majors. He started the week 11th in the race for the eight-man ATP Finals, which run from November 15 to 22 in Turin. According to the ATP, he must reach at least the semi-finals in Paris to remain in contention, and only the title would guarantee a place. Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Ben Shelton have already qualified, while Jannik Sinner is out injured.

Djokovic, who won his 102nd career title at the China Open last month, faces Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata next. A 103rd title would draw him level with Roger Federer for second place in the Open era, behind Connors' 109.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, third seed Shelton beat Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4, 12th seed Tommy Paul ousted Holger Rune 7-5, 6-4, and Taylor Fritz came from a set down to beat Benjamin Bonzi. Alcaraz, the second seed, meets Alex Michelsen on Wednesday.