As if he didn’t have enough records already, Novak Djokovic, 34, recorded the 37th Masters title of his illustrious career by avenging his US Open final defeat against Russian Daniil Medvedev with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory at the Paris Masters on Sunday. The tennis legend is now one clear of his contemporary, 20-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal, in Masters trophies, and nine ahead of another 20-time Grand Slam winner, Roger Federer.
This also extended his record of Paris Masters titles to six. Djokovic was determined to secure a Masters title for the first time since 2017, and he maintained his composure throughout the match against Medvedev. Medvedev was engulfed in the third set, bowing out of the contest on the first match point when Djokovic unleashed a superb forehand winner down the line just two months after Medvedev denied Djokovic a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam men’s singles title when he beat him at Flushing Meadows.
Medvedev took control of the opening game, forcing Djokovic to commit a series of unforced errors that put the lanky Russian on the defensive. The world No. 1 leveled for 2-2, but Medvedev stole his serve again to move 4-3 up with a splendid sliced backhand at the net. The Russian then held serve twice to pocket the first set when Djokovic returned long. However, Djokovic reversed the situation in the second set, securing a 3-1 lead as Medvedev buried a backhand into the net.
Djokovic then served and volleyed to save a breakpoint at 5-3 and saw off a second serve with a big swing. Medvedev set up the third set with a spectacular block at the net, but Djokovic’s first serve once again proved to be decisive. Djokovic would then take the match into a decider with an ace on his third set point, which helped him break for a 3-2 courtesy of three unforced errors by Medvedev, and stole his opponent’s serve again to move 5-2 up as he finished the deal once again.
Djokovic still seems to be in his prime at the age of 34, and will assuredly continue to add to his already massive trophy case of Grand Slam titles.
Yep, we have one too
