Novak Djokovic defeated Maxime Cressy in straight sets at the Paris Masters
Defending champion Novak Djokovic defeated American Maxime Cressy 7-6 (1), 6-4 in the second round of the Paris Masters to clinch a record 39th Masters title. In the first meeting between the two, the big-serving Cressi saved three break points in the eighth game but then hit two double-faults in the tiebreaker, which Djokovic won with an ace. Cressey double-faulted in the second set at 4-4 to give Djokovic two break points before he was broken by a forehand return winner. The Serbian converted his first match point with a backhand volley.
“It’s definitely hard to play him in those situations where balls are flying through the court, it’s faster than last year,” Djokovic said. “It’s very hard to break.” Djokovic didn’t face any break points and only had three unforced errors to 14 for Cressey.
After winning titles in Israel and Kazakhstan, Djokovic extended his winning streak to 10 matches since losing at the Laver Cup in September. She next plays Karen Kachanow, who defeated Marc-Andrea Heusler 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Casper Ruud defeated wild-card entry Richard Gasquet 6-1, 7-6 (7) to reach the third round, while Holker Roon saved three match points with a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3). Beat Stan Wawrinka.
The third-seeded Rudd raced to a 5-0 lead in the opening set and fought back 5-3 in the second set to force a tiebreaker. Casket lost set point 7-6 with a forehand volley. Rudd took a poor form after losing in the first round of the Basel and Tokyo tournaments. Meanwhile, Andrey Rublev and Hubert Hurcox were in contention for the remaining two spots in the ATP Finals.
Rublev beat John Isner 6-2, 6-3 in the second round, while Hurcox beat Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the first round.
Seventh-seeded Rublev beat Isner for the first time in four meetings. Isner lost serve twice in the opening set and Rublev took advantage of three forehand errors from the American to take a 3-1 lead in the second game. “I was very confident from the start,” Rublev said. “Once I’m back or in the ballgame, I always feel like I have the advantage and I’m not nervous.” Isner hit 11 aces, but Rublev faced no break points and made just five unforced errors for 13.
Rublev currently occupies the last ATP Finals spot ahead of Fritz and Hurcox. Carlos Algaraz, Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Rudd, Daniel Medvedev and Djokovic have already qualified for the eight-man tournament. Hurcox served two set points and fired 20 aces and saved all eight break points she faced. Hurcox hit a forehand return winner to take a 5-4 lead in the second set. He made it the only break point of the match.
