The win also keeps alive his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals. He moves to 2940 units Race to Turin and need at least a semi-final to stay in contention. Only the title would guarantee his place.
He said it was his first time playing at Plenitude Arena and that he found it impressive. Djokovic did not come to Paris in 2025, instead choosing next week’s tournament in Athens, where he lives.
Djokovic saves three break points at 4-4 against Vacherot in second set
The first set was delivered. Serving at 5-6, Djokovic saved three set points and then took a 5-3 lead in the tiebreak before losing the last four points, two of them on his serve.
Vacherot took a 2-0 lead in the opening game of the second set. Djokovic broke back at 2-2, then saved three break points at 4-4, which would have put the Monegasque on serve for the match. At 6-5, he broke on his first set point to level the match.
Djokovic said on court that the victory belonged to the crowd. For Vacherot in the second set, he singled out a 15- to 20-shot rally that he was able to finish off.
The third set was a one-way street, seemingly too much for Vacherot, the Basel champion on Sunday, and perhaps drained as a result. Djokovic raced to a 3-0 lead, had a break point at 4-0 and took the set 6-1 as Vacherot’s unforced errors piled up.
Vachereau’s triumph ends in Paris
Vacherot defeated Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals in Shanghai in 2025 in their only previous meeting en route to the title. After that, he arrived in Paris on a 5-match winning streak degree in Basel on Sunday, where he defeated Jiri Lehecka in the final 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Djokovic will face the Australian qualifier Rinki Hijikatawho defeated Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-2 in the 2nd round on Monday.
