Novak Djokovic won a record-extending seventh Paris Masters trophy and a 40th Masters title in total on Sunday. The world number one beat unseeded Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-3 in straightforward fashion. It is the 36-year-old’s sixth title of 2023, which includes three Grand Slam crowns and the Masters trophy in Cincinnati.
“It’s incredible to be able to win it after quite challenging circumstances this week,” said Djokovic. “I basically came back from the brink of losing three matches in a row so I’m very proud of this one considering what I’ve been through this week.”
Djokovic has been dominant on hard courts this season, winning 33 matches and only losing once. Playing in his 58th Masters final, the Serb was hardly challenged by Bulgarian Dimitrov, ranked 17th in the world, who was playing in only his second Masters final. The 24-time Grand Slam champion only needed one break to take the first set with Dimitrov, 32, hitting a lame backhand into the net at close range to hand Djokovic the advantage.
Djokovic was met with a wall of cheers and some boos from the Bercy crowd after serving out the first set, and smiled as he made a gesture with his hands towards the crowd asking for more. Djokovic is three wins away from 100 Open Era titles, with only Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) above him.
Elsewhere, Britain’s Jack Draper secured his first title of an injury-hit season by beating David Goffin 1-6 7-6 (6-3) 6-3 to win the Bergamo Challenger in Italy. The Davis Cup Finals is scheduled to take place in two weeks’ time, and with Dan Evans ruled out through injury, 21-year-old Draper is likely to play an important role in the GB team.
