Top-seeded Novak Djokovic rallied to defeat Tallon Griekspoor 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters.
Unlike in his impressive victory in the second round, the Serb seemed sluggish in just his second singles match since competing in the Davis Cup six weeks before. He lost a 4-1 lead in the first set and wasted three break points early in the second.
But the 24-time Grand Slam champion rallied, winning the tiebreak and the decisive to advance to the final and pursue a record-tying seventh victory in Paris.
It was hardly the easy win Djokovic had the day before against Tomas Etcheverry, when he came back from a set down to win in two hours and forty-nine minutes.
The 36-year-old Djokovic said, “I ran out of steam, I didn’t feel myself at all on court. I’ve been struggling the last couple of days with my stomach.”
It might have easily gone in his favor, but I played a solid tiebreak and felt stronger in the third game. I’m very glad I conquered this obstacle.
Due to health concerns, fourth seed Jannik Sinner withdrew from the competition after his match against Mackenzie McDonald in the second round on Thursday finished at 2:37 am.
The Italian was scheduled to play Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who will now take on the very skilled Andrey Rublev, the fifth-seeded Russian who defeated qualifier Botic Van de Zandschulp 6-3 6-3 to win his 20th Masters 1000 match of the season.
Seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated German tenth seed Alexander Zverev 7-6(2) 6-4 to clinch his position in the ATP Finals. Following a 4-6 6-4 6-2 victory against fellow Russian Roman Safiullin, the 16th seed Greek will take on Karen Khachanov in the quarterfinals.
Hubert Hurkacz, the 11th seed from Poland, defeated Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina 6-4 6-3 to stay in the running for a ticket in the competition in Turin.
The Bulgarian defeated Alexander Bublik 6-2 6-2 to earn a spot in the semi-finals, where he will face Grigor Dimitrov.