Djokovic survives a tough battle in Paris and continues to threaten Jódar

Novak Djokovic is still in the fight to return to the ATP Finalsa tournament that he has not played since 2023. The Serbian, who needs to go further than Rafa Jódar and Alex de Miñaur at the Paris Masters 1000, debuted in the French capital with a hard-fought victory against the Monegasque Valentin Vacherotwhom he ended up defeating 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-1.

Equality was the predominant note in the first set, which was decided in the tiebreak after Djokovic managed to save three set points in the eleventh game. Despite going 5-3 in the tiebreaker, The Serbian ended up handing over, victim of his errors, the set 7-5.

Everything was against the former world number 1, who received medical attention after losing his serve at the beginning of the second set. That moment was a turning point, since from then on the Serbian raised his level and remembered the dominant player who has been able to win up to seven times in the Parisian Masters 1000.

As in the first round, the set was decided by details, although this time Djokovic managed to avoid the tiebreak with a break in the twelfth game.

Vacherot suffered the psychological blow and gave up the match in a terrible start to the third set which Djokovic took advantage of to take a 3-0 lead that he would end up managing masterfully until closing the match with a resounding 6-1 against an opponent physically exhausted after playing and winning the final of the Basel tournament last Sunday.

Victory of merit for Djokovic, who They will meet this Wednesday in the second round with the Australian Rinky Hijikatacoming from the previous phase and who beat the Italian Luciano Darderi in the first round.