Novak Djokovic sets record with first-round victory at Paris Masters

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic has scripted a new piece of history at the Paris Masters. At the age of 39, he has set the record for becoming the oldest player to win a match in this tournament. In a highly thrilling first-round encounter played on Tuesday, Djokovic defeated Monégasque Valentin Vacherot in a three-set battle.

According to a report by ABC News, Djokovic made a splendid comeback despite being a set down in the match. He secured victory with a score of 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-1. During the match, Djokovic faced a difficult situation in the second set. While trailing by a set and with the score tied at 4-4, he saved three break points to prevent Vacherot from winning the match. Vacherot was in good form, having recently won the Swiss Indoors in Basel, but Djokovic secured the win with a strong performance at the Planitide Arena.

During the second set, Djokovic also had to take a medical timeout for treatment of his right shoulder. With this victory, Djokovic has countered those who believe his career is nearing its end. Joking, he said, "It's not too bad for an old man, right?! People think I've become too old and slow, but somehow I find a way to win these kinds of matches that go long. I am still in the game and trying to present my best tennis whenever needed."

With this win, Djokovic has strengthened his 10th position in the race for the ATP Finals, trailing Alex de Minaur by just one spot. Djokovic has won the championship seven times so far in this tournament. In the second round, Djokovic will face Australia's Rinky Hijikata. Hijikata is currently in excellent form, having secured three victories—two in qualifying and one in the first round—without dropping a single set.

If Djokovic and de Minaur face each other in the third round, it could prove decisive for both their hopes of reaching the ATP Finals. To progress, Djokovic must defeat Rinky Hijikata, while de Minaur needs to win against Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry. World No. 31 Etcheverry could prove to be a difficult obstacle for de Minaur. Meanwhile, Spanish star Rafael Jódar has moved up to eighth place in the live standings after winning his first-round match.

Regarding other matches, Taylor Fritz won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 against French player Benjamin Bonzi. 2022 champion Holger Rune, who is making a comeback after an Achilles injury, lost 7-5, 6-4 to 12th seed Tommy Paul. Young French player Moïse Kouamé was also knocked out of the tournament after losing 6-3, 6-1 to Nuno Borges. Andrey Rublev also lost to Argentina's Etcheverry with a score of 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3).

Novak Djokovic is a world-renowned Serbian tennis player. He has won 24 Grand Slam titles so far and is considered one of the most successful players in tennis history. He has set numerous World No. 1 records and has dominated the tennis world for a long time.