Google News
Novak Djokovic has learned his projected path to winning his seventh Paris Masters title. Djokovic, seeded at No 1, has a first-round bye in Paris. After a first-round bye, Djokovic will be playing against either fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic or Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
The Paris round-of-16 will likely bring us a rematch of this year's US Open semifinal as Djokovic is projected to meet Ben Shelton. In the Paris quarterfinal, Djokovic is projected to meet No 6 seed Holger Rune - the player who beat him in the 2022 Paris final.
In the Paris semifinal, we could see a rematch of the 2022 Wimbledon semifinal, when Djokovic took on Jannik Sinner. The projected Paris Masters final sees Djokovic clashing against Carlos Alcaraz.
Can Djokovic win Paris this year?
Last year, Djokovic was the top favorite for the Paris title and he was looking great throughout the week.
But then in the Paris final, Djokovic was stunned by Rune, who upset the Serb 3-6 6-3 7-5. For Rune, who was 19 at the time, it was his first Masters final and also his first Masters title. After the final, Djokovic was disappointed that he missed out on some solid chances but gave full credit to Rune.
"His fighting spirit, I think. You know, he stayed composed also mentally all the way to the last shot. For somebody who is so young to show this composure and maturity in the big match like this is very impressive. He's had a week of his life, I mean, winning against four or five top-10 players, you know, it's quite impressive.
He deserved it. You know, I had so many chances. I mean, all sets. Early in the second again, like the last two matches. Love-40, didn't use that. Just missed by little the backhand down the line passing shot Love-40. 30-40, incredible get he had from my smash.
Just like one of these moments where match goes one way or the other way," Djokovic said after losing a thriller 2022 Paris final.