PARIS —
Novak Djokovic gained some
consolation in missing out on a Grand Slam sweep this year by being crowned
season-ending world number one for a record seventh time on Saturday.
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The 34-year-old Serbian had jointly held the
record of six with Pete Sampras but took sole possession when he beat Poland's
Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) to reach the Paris Masters final.
Djokovic had taken a seven-week break after
his dreams of a Grand Slam sweep were dashed by Daniil Medvedev in the
US Open final in September.
However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion
said on Friday the main reason for him returning this week was to seal the
number one spot and break the record.
"It is a dream for me as Pete was my
idol when I was a young boy," said Djokovic.
"To arrive at this moment is not just
my achievement but my team's, it is wonderful to be in this position.
"I am very proud to finish number one
and what a match to do it in. It was so tight right to the last point, but I am
a very happy man now obviously."
Djokovic can take some satisfaction that he
has denied Medvedev the world number one spot, though the Russian admitted his
chances of toppling the Serbian were slim.
The two could meet in Sunday's final as
title holder Medvedev plays the man he beat in last year's final
AlexanderZverev in the second semi-final.
Zverev, though, is on a hot streak and came
to Paris having won his fifth title of the year in Vienna.
Hurkacz has had a breakout season, winning
the Miami Masters, reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals and on Friday qualifying
for the season-ending ATP Finals.
The 24-year-old Pole could have capped it
all in beating Djokovic but admitted the Serbian just had that edge when it
came to big moments.
"Novak is such a great player, great
competitor," said Hurkacz.
"He's just super solid in the very
important moments.
"His return is really amazing. So just
puts a lot of pressure on you. I always have to fight for every single point.
It's very, very intense."
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