In a remarkable Sunday for Novak Djokovic, the Serb won his second BNP Paribas Masters title, lifted his 40th career trophy and claimed his 200th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 match victory, after defeating no.3 seed David Ferrer 7-5, 7-5 in the final at the Palais Omnisports in Bercy.
Showing no sign of nerves after falling behind in both sets, Novak raised his level to hit back for 5-5 before breaking serve again in the 12th game.
The second seed landed 78% of his first serves and won 15/18 on net approaches to seal victory in one hour and 52 minutes.
“It has been a very difficult match for me,” Djokovic said. “It’s very hard against one of the best competitors on tour, someone who never gives up. I was patient, I played aggressive. I am very happy with this win. I am playing the best tennis this year now, on a very high level, and have lots of confidence in myself, in my game.”
Match statistics: aces (3-1), double faults (2-1), winners (34-15), unforced errors (28-26), total points won (81-68).
Novak will now travel to London to compete in next week’s season finale, the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, taking place at The O2 Arena (November 4 – 11).
The defending champion will be making his seventh appearance at the world’s biggest indoor tournament. He will open campaign on Tuesday at 21.00 CET against Roger Federer (SUI, 5).
With the victory in Paris, Nole earned 1000 ATP points. The world no.2 continued his strong form and extended his winning streak to 17 matches (his last loss came in US Open final).
The Belgrade native clinched the 16th Masters 1000 crown of his career, and his sixth title of the season, having also triumphed at the Australian Open (d. Murray), Dubai (d. Berdych), Monte Carlo (d. Nadal), Beijing (d. Nadal) and Shanghai (d. Del Potro).
Photo: AFP/Getty Images
