Categories: ATPATP Masters Finals

Djoko barely notices his two months away

Novak Djokovic stepped back onto a tennis court for the first time in nearly two months and produced a trademark win to start his campaign at the Paris Masters on Wednesday.

The world No. 1 who looks set to hold onto his position to the end of the season after the opening-round loss here of Carlos Alcaraz, had no trouble in sending out Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 6-2 in 85 minutes.

Djokovic played the final here a year ago, losing to Danish young gun Holger Rune.

The 36-year-old Djokovic is among five players qualified for the eight-man ATP Finals starting a week from Sunday in Turin.

Djokovic needed three match points to reach the third round, advancing as his Argentine opponent fired a return long.

The ATP No. 1 leads Carlos Alcaraz by 580 points in the season points race; a seventh career title here on Sunday could extend the comfort zone to 1,495.

Djokovic broke Etcheverry three times  as he improved to 46-9 record at the indoor event in the capital.

The Serb is seeking a record-extending 40th Masters 1000 trophy; he stands a formidable 47-5 on the season.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

3 days ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

2 weeks ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

2 weeks ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

2 weeks ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

1 month ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

1 month ago