Novak has sealed another historic feat on Saturday!
Novak Djokovic secured a year-end number one crown for a record-breaking seventh time with a 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (5) win over Hubert Hurkacz in a thrilling Paris semi-final.
The top seed and five-time former titlist reached the final of the Rolex Paris Masters after two hours and 17 minutes of play at the Palais Omnisports.
Novak rallied from a set down to beat the no.7 seed from Poland. After losing the first set, Djokovic raced through the second 6-0 and seized the momentum to go up 4-1 in the deciding third set. Hurkacz broke back for 3-4 and levelled at 4-all, then saved a match point at *4-5. Little separated the two in a dramatic tiebreak, but the 34-year-old Serbian ace emerged victorious to progress into his 54th Masters final.
Nole once again created history, surpassing Pete Sampras for most year-end no.1 finishes in ATP rankings history.
“Just proud and extremely happy. Obviously that was one of the biggest goals and it’s always one of the biggest goals, to try to be no.1 and end the season as no.1,” Novak said. “To do it for the record seventh time and surpass my childhood idol and role model, Pete, is incredible. Very grateful, very blessed to be in this position.”
ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said: “Finishing the season as no.1 is a monumental achievement. To do it seven times, in this incredible era of men’s professional tennis, is hard to describe. Novak deserves huge credit and recognition for continuing to redefine excellence in our sport, year after year. Congratulations to him and his team on this outstanding new milestone.”
Chasing a record-breaking 37th ATP Masters 1000 trophy (36-17 W/L record in title matches), Novak will take on defending champion Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final.
The second-seeded Russian defeated Germany’s no.4 seed Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-2.
Djokovic leads his ATP Head2Head series against Medvedev 5-4.
Photos: Getty Images, Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
