Hijikata Stuns Djokovic at Paris Masters as De Minaur's ATP Finals Hopes Ended
Written by AI from abc.net.au's report. Not checked by a person.
Australian Rinky Hijikata produced a remarkable comeback to defeat 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic in the Paris Masters second round, while Alex de Minaur's bid for a third consecutive ATP Finals appearance was ended by Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Australian Rinky Hijikata delivered one of the biggest wins of his career, defeating Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the second round of the Paris Masters. After being outplayed in the opening set, Hijikata roared back with 37 winners — 29 of them forehand bullets — to overturn the 24-time grand slam champion. Djokovic had needed to reach the Paris semifinals to keep alive his ATP Finals qualification hopes, but could not contain Hijikata once the Australian seized control.
"I wasn't even close to his level in that set. I couldn't touch his serve either, he was acing me for fun," Hijikata told Sky Sports. Djokovic paid tribute to his opponent: "He was just playing out of his mind, honestly. He was not missing, keeping the ball low. It was a terrific performance."
Elsewhere, Australia's top-ranked player Alex de Minaur had his hopes of a third consecutive ATP Finals appearance dashed at Paris's Plenitude Arena, losing 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 to Argentine world number 31 Tomas Martin Etcheverry — the first top-10 victory of Etcheverry's career. The defeat left de Minaur stranded ninth in the live Race to Turin standings, one place behind Spanish sensation Rafael Jodar, with Paris the final qualifying event. His only remaining path to Turin would be a withdrawal from one of the current top eight. Flavio Cobolli, already qualified but absent from Paris with a leg injury, is expected to be fit for the Italian event. Hijikata and Etcheverry will meet in the third round.
