Novak Djokovic doesn’t do straightforward anymore, not at 39, not after a season where victories have arrived like rare postcards from distant shores. But the Serbian legend reminded Paris on Tuesday exactly why writing him off remains sport’s most dangerous assumption, grinding down Valentin Vacherot 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 6-1 in a first-round battle that showcased trademark grit over fading physicality.
Also read: Venus Williams’ 17th straight loss deepens uncertainty over future
It marked Djokovic’s first ATP 1000 tournament victory since reaching the Indian Wells fourth round back in March. Instead, the 24-time Grand Slam winner is clawing his way back toward relevance, keeping alive flickering hopes of securing a spot at November’s ATP Finals in Turin where he currently sits 11th in the race for eight berths.
“I knew coming into the court it was going to be a very tight match as it was,” Djokovic told reporters after exacting revenge on the Monegasque who’d sensationally dumped him out en route to the Shanghai Masters title last season. “He’s very confident and he’s one of the best servers we have in the game.”
When experience trumps momentum
Vacherot, fresh from lifting his second career title in Basel last week, seized the opening set via an error-strewn tie-break, reeling off four consecutive points to take the lead. When he broke early in the second, the upset looked inevitable. Then Djokovic summoned the dark arts.
A medical timeout for a right shoulder massage broke Vacherot’s concentration fatally. The 27-year-old immediately dropped serve, then completely misjudged a routine return on Djokovic’s second break point, watching in disbelief as the ball bounced directly in front of him on the line.
Vacherot’s subsequent foot issue accelerated the collapse. Djokovic seized his first break opportunity in the 12th game to level at one set apiece, then ground down his opponent’s opening service game in the decider before running away with the match. He’ll face Rinky Hijikata in Wednesday’s second round.
Shelton cruises, Jodar’s loss gifts Cobolli Finals berth
US Open finalist Ben Shelton required just 71 minutes to dismantle Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4 in the night session, the world number four dropping serve only once near the end before instantly correcting course.
Also read: Ukrainian tennis star slams Russia’s sports return as ‘propaganda victory’
Shelton then yielded centre court to a retirement ceremony honouring Gael Monfils, the hugely popular Frenchman who hung up his racquet last month aged 40.
The evening’s most consequential result saw Rafael Jodar fall in straight sets to Casper Ruud. The 20-year-old Spaniard’s defeat secured Italy’s Flavio Cobolli an ATP Finals spot despite Cobolli withdrawing from Paris with a leg injury, a brutal illustration of how fine margins determine November glory.
Elsewhere, 2022 Paris champion Holger Rune continued his struggles returning from injury, losing 7-5, 6-4 to Tommy Paul. Matteo Berrettini edged Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (10/8), whilst Taylor Fritz showed resilience defeating Benjamin Bonzi in three sets.
Wednesday brings heavyweight firepower, world number one Alexander Zverev and seven-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz both begin their campaigns at the round-of-32 stage.
