Djokovic sends warning to rivals
with Paris Masters title
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[November 04, 2019]
By Julien Pretot
PARIS (Reuters) - World number one
Novak Djokovic saw off Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-3 6-4 to win a
record-extending fifth Paris Masters title on Sunday in a warning to
his rivals ahead of the ATP Finals.
The Serbian faced only one break point in another impressive display
to claim a 34th career Masters title against world number 28
Shapovalov, who was playing his first final at that level.
"I served very well, there were not many rallies in the match. A
break in each set was enough, it was the best serving performance in
this tournament," said Djokovic, who did not drop a set this week as
he won his 77th ATP title.
"It was his first Masters final so in a way experience prevailed.
But I played very solidly today. Maybe he lost his focus a bit."
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Shapovalov, who will reach a career-high 15th in the ATP rankings on
Monday, ended the tournament with a sense of pride, knowing that
there was little he could do against an almost unplayable Djokovic.
"Credit to Novak," he said. "Of course it's a tough ending but he
was the better player," added the Canadian, who has now lost all
four of his matches against 16-times grand slam winner Djokovic.
Djokovic, who started the week with a cold, is now one Masters title
shy of Rafael Nadal's all-time record and on Sunday, the 32-year-old
was untouchable at the Bercy arena.
Djokovic, who will be supplanted by Nadal at top of the ATP rankings
on Monday, made a fine start, stealing Shapovalov's first service
game as he opened a 3-0 lead.
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![](../images/110419pics/sports51.jpg)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning the
Paris Masters REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
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The Serb was never threatened in the opening set, dropping only four
points on serve as Shapovalov looked tight having not played on
Saturday following Nadal's withdrawal.
The 20-year-old faced a break point in the first game of the second
set, saving it with a powerful first serve but a forehand error on
Djokovic's second opportunity gave his opponent a decisive 4-3 lead.
Djokovic then held serve throughout to snatch a morale-boosting
victory ahead of the Nov. 10-17 ATP Finals in London, where he will
be looking to secure the year-end world number one spot.
"I'm in a better position (to finish the season as world number one)
than I was before this tournament but the only thing I can do is to
focus on my game," said Djokovic.
Nadal's participation in the Finals is in doubt after the Spaniard
sustained an abdominal injury in the warm-up to Saturday's
semi-final in Paris.
Twenty-times Grand Slam champion Roger Federer skipped the event to
be fresh for the season-ender at the O2.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)
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