(Paris) The favorite Novak Djokovic got the better of the American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 to reach the aces of the Masters of Paris and stay in the ranks for a record sixth title of the tournament.
Djokovic is also in contention for a 37e record title in Masters. He is tied at 36 with Rafael Nadal, both with 20 Grand Slam titles to their credit.
Djokovic, who will face seventh-seeded Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, is playing his first tournament since his loss in the US Open final in straight sets to Daniil Medvedev in September.
“I felt good, given that it was only the second game after almost two months without playing a competitive game,” said Djokovic, who advanced to the third round after Gaël Monfils’ forfeit due to a wound.
“I have to be satisfied, but there are also things that need to improve, and I know that. ”
He could still face Medvedev in the final this Sunday, the defending Paris Masters champion. The second-seeded Russian saved three match points in the first set before beating Frenchman Hugo Gaston 7-6 (7), 6-4.
Medvedev’s next game will pit him against fourth-seed Alexander Zverev, whom he beat in the final last year. Zverev had no difficulty defeating Norway’s Casper Ruud, world number six, 7-5, 6-4, on Friday.
Zverev has a record of five career wins and four losses against Medvedev, although Medvedev has won the last three games.
Two service breaks gave Medvedev a 4-0 lead in the second set.
But Gaston, who had rebounded after trailing 5-0 in the second set against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the third round, came from behind against Medvedev to make it 4-3.
The 12e and 13e Medvedev’s aces made it 5-3.
As was the case in the game against Alcaraz, the French public have at times applauded Medvedev’s mistakes on serve and howled with joy when he double faults on his first match point. The crowd was silenced, however, when he claimed victory on his next attempt.
“It was a tough game, I have to say, in front of a very difficult crowd… Hugo played very well, he’s very good,” said Medvedev.
“You never know what he’s about to do, so it’s not easy on your footwork. ”
Earlier, Hurkacz defeated Australia’s James Duckworth 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-5 to secure final place in the ATP Finals at the end of the season.
After the match between Hurkacz and Duckworth, Djokovic quickly got a break to grab a 2-0 lead, but Fritz immediately smashed the Serbian to zero in the next game.
Djokovic had his own zero-breaker in the eighth game, but trailed 0-40 as he served for the first inning when Fritz grabbed a long 26-stroke game and then won the next point to return to 5-4.
But a rough backhand that ended up in the net gave Djokovic an inning point in the next game. Fritz saved him when Djokovic hit a forehand that was too long, but Djokovic seized the next opportunity.
After trading breakage early in the second set, Djokovic needed to save two breakage points in game three before breaking out with an ace to lead 2-1.
Djokovic took control with a winning forehand to make the break and he then won a game to zero to take a 5-2 lead.
Serving for the match, Djokovic quickly led 40-0 and confirmed the win on his first match point with a backhand volley that went just over the net.
He is 2-0 against Hurkacz, who was delighted to advance to the ATP Finals, played in Turin from November 14.
” It’s incredible. Growing up watching all these top players play at this tournament is inspiring, said the 24-year-old. Now, to be among them is very special, because there are only eight places available. ”
Hurkacz reached the semifinals at Wimbledon this year, knocking out Roger Federer, also winner of 20 Grand Slam titles in the quarterfinals. He made it to the top 10 for the first time last month.
29 year old Duckworth, ranked 55e, was in his first quarter-final at Masters level.