One of the biggest servers in tennis pushed one of the game’s greatest returners to the brink. In the end, experience won out on a night that tested the veteran’s patience.
Novak Djokovic rallied to beat Valentin Vacherot 6 to 7, 7 to 5, 6 to 1 in the first round of the Paris Masters on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
How did Novak Djokovic survive?
After losing a tight first set in a tiebreaker, Djokovic, the 10th seed, faced three break points while serving at 4 all in the second. Saving them kept Vacherot from serving for the match. It was the most dangerous moment of the match for the veteran.
Novak Djokovic broke to take the second set, then broke again at the start of the third to seize control. He won on his second match point with a backhand winner down the line.
Both players took medical timeouts in the second set. Djokovic received treatment on his right shoulder, and Vacherot had his left ankle taped. Djokovic, 39, has managed several physical issues in recent seasons.
Why was Vacherot so tough?
Vacherot, from Monaco, hit 22 aces. Novak Djokovic said the player’s second serves were faster than his own first serves and that he struggled to read them for a set and a half.
He also said the courts were extremely fast this year, comparing them to ice after much slower conditions last year. Fast indoor courts tend to reward big servers and shorten rallies.
Vacherot arrived in top form after winning the Swiss Indoors title in Basel on Sunday. He also beat Novak Djokovic in the Shanghai Masters semifinals last year on his way to a stunning title as a qualifier.
What is at stake for Novak Djokovic?
Novak Djokovic, who has won the Paris Masters seven times, is chasing his 103rd career title. That would tie Roger Federer for second in the Open era, behind Jimmy Connors with 109.
Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, is also fighting for a spot in the ATP Finals, which run Nov. 15 to Nov. 22. He sits 11th in the race and must reach at least the semifinals in Paris to stay in contention, according to the ATP.
Only one smaller event, in Stockholm, remains after Paris. That leaves little margin for error.
He plays qualifier Rinky Hijikata of Australia next on Wednesday. A win would move him closer to the semifinals he needs.
How did Ben Shelton and others fare?
Third seed Ben Shelton beat fellow lefty Cameron Norrie 6 to 3, 6 to 4 for his 42nd win of the season, matching his best total. Shelton recently added Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Alcaraz’s former coach, to his team for 2027.
Shelton has already qualified for the ATP Finals along with world No. 1 Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev. Jannik Sinner ended his season early because of a knee injury, opening the door for others.
Taylor Fritz, who sits one spot behind Djokovic in the race, beat Benjamin Bonzi 3 to 6, 6 to 3, 6 to 4. Tommy Paul beat 2022 champion Holger Rune, and Nuno Borges beat French teenager Moise Kouame. Fritz is also chasing one of the final spots in Turin.
What is next in Paris?
On Wednesday, Zverev faces Lorenzo Musetti, Alcaraz plays Alex Michelsen and Medvedev meets Ignacio Buse. Zverev is playing his first tournament as the world’s top player.
For Novak Djokovic, every match in Paris now carries extra weight as he chases history and a place in the season finale. At 39, he continues to show he can still win big matches on the biggest stages.
