Six-time champion Novak Djokovic met first-time Paris-Bercy finalist Holger Rune within the championship match of the 2022 Rolex Paris Masters on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Dane, who was triumphant in Stockholm and Munich this 12 months, put in a outstanding and courageous efficiency, to defeat Novak 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in two hours and 32 minutes and win his maiden ATP Masters 1000 trophy.
He turned the youngest winner of the Paris event since Boris Becker in 1986.
Novak broke for a 3-1 lead within the opening set and went on to win it. Rune broke early within the second set to take the competition to a deciding set. The 2 had traded break as soon as earlier than the ATP Subsequent Gen star broke for 6-5 to serve for the match. The unseeded teenager saved six break factors within the remaining service sport earlier than securing the title.
“I’m not comfortable that you simply beat me, however however I’m comfortable for you as a result of I like your character, you’re a really devoted man who loves tennis,” Djokovic mentioned through the trophy ceremony. “You’ve put in a number of hours of laborious work, it’s paying off for you and your future is vibrant.”
Match statistics: aces (8-6), double faults (2-7), winners (34-43), unforced errors (22-33), complete factors received (97-92).
Novak was bidding to win a record-extending seventh title in Paris and a record-breaking thirty ninth Masters 1000 crown.
The 35-year-old Serbian ace will subsequent head to Turin, for the Nitto ATP Finals. The season finale shall be held on the Pala Alpitour from November 13 to November 20.
Rafael Nadal (ESP), Casper Ruud (NOR), Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE), Novak Djokovic (SRB), Daniil Medvedev (RUS), Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN), Andrey Rublev (RUS) and Taylor Fritz (USA) are within the discipline. Holger Rune (DEN) would be the first alternate.
“I really feel very properly, I’m taking part in nice tennis. I’m disillusioned at this time, however I wasn’t too far and I like my possibilities going to Torino. I performed rather well there final 12 months,” Novak mentioned. “I’ll be there and hopefully will carry my greatest sport.”
The draw is about to happen on Thursday, November 10, at 12:00 midday CET.
Images: Profimedia