Medvedev sets up rematch with World No. 1 tonight

Paris: Novak Djokovic gained some consolation in missing out on a Grand Slam sweep this year by being crowned season-ending World No. 1 for a record seventh time yesterday.

The 34-year-old Serbian had previously jointly held the record with Pete Sampras but took sole possession when he beat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) to reach the Paris  Masters final.

Djokovic had taken a seven week break after his dreams of a Grand Slam sweep were dashed by Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final in September. However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion said on Friday the main reason for him returning this week was to seal the number one spot and break the record.

“It is a dream for me as Pete was my idol when I was a young boy,” said Djokovic.

Djokovic can take some satisfaction that he has denied Medvedev the world number one spot, though the Russian admitted his chances of toppling the Serbian were slim.

On the other hand, Reigning Champion Daniil Medvedev powered into his second consecutive Paris Masters final yesterday as he snapped Alexander Zverev’s eight-match winning streak, downing the German 6-2, 6-2. With this win, the World No. 2 Medvedev sets up a rematch of the US Open final against Novak Djokovic in Paris.

Djokovic will take on Medvedev in final today (Nov. 7) at 7.30 pm (IST).