Novak Djokovic defeated Holger Rune 7:5, 6:7 and 6:4 in the quarterfinals of the 1000 series tournament in Paris and avenged his defeat in last year’s final in the Bercy Hall. The match lasted two hours and 49 minutes.
The man from Belgrade was the best at the indoor tournament in Paris in 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2021, and last year he was surprisingly beaten by Rune in the final with 3:6, 6:3 and 7:5.
“The match reminded me a lot of last year’s final. Little things made the decision. In the second set, I played my worst extended game of the season. I had the closing ball and then gifted him the second set. Luckily, I pulled myself together quickly. One break was enough to win. It’s true that he could have finished the fight faster, but a win is just a win,” Djokovic said.
Alcaraz will have a minimal chance of first place in TurinThe 36-year-old Serb is thus one step closer to the first place in the ATP ranking at the end of the season, which he would achieve for the eighth time in his career. Virtually, he is in first place after this year’s results, 850 points ahead of Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard was already eliminated on Tuesday during his first appearance in the second round against Russian Roman Safiulin.
Another 1,500 points will be available for Djokovic and Alcaraz, who will not compete in ATP events next week and will focus on the final tournament in Turin (November 12-19).
After the defeat of Rune, three more players are fighting for a place in the final tournament, but realistically, the German Alexander Zverev and the very young Dane will appear there. In theory, the Australian Alex De Minaur still has a chance, but he should win the tournament in Paris.
Dimitrov will challenge Tsitsipas in the semi-finalsStefanos Tsicipas was looking forward to his 300th career victory after defeating Karen Hačanov 6:3 and 6:4. The Greek has yet to submit a set this week. He was very relaxed, as he already secured an appearance at the final Masters in Turin on Thursday. The settlement lasted an hour and 20 minutes.
Grigor Dimitrov, who eliminated Hubert Hurkacz 6:1, 4:6 and 6:4, is waiting for him in Saturday’s semifinal.
PARIS (5,779,335 euros, hard base)
Quarter-finals, table: ĐOKOVIC (SRB/1) – RUNE (DAN/6) 7:5, 6:7 (3), 6:4RUBLJOV (RUS/5) – DE MINAUR (AVS/13)
DIMITROV (BLG) – HURKACZ (POL/11) 6:1, 4:6, 6:4CICIPAS (GREECE/7) – HACHANOV (RUS/16) 6:3, 6:4
Source: Rtvslo