TENNIS MASTER 1000 PARIS – Novak Djokovic claimed his third win at the BNP Paribas in Paris Bercy with a 6-2 6-3 win over Milos Raonic. The Serb has clinched the 600th match win of his career becoming the fifth active player to reach this milestone after Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Lleyton Hewitt and David Ferrer and the 23rd in history to achieve this feat. Djokovic has become the first player to win two back-to-back Paris titles and extended his streak to 27 match wins Indoors. Djokovic got an early break in both sets and saved three break points in the seventh game after trailing 0-40. Djokovic broke three times against Raonic who had only been broken four times in four matches during this week and saved the four break points he faced. Diego Sampaolo
Djokovic has extended his lead over Roger Federer to 1310 points after his win in the French capital and the quarter final defeat of the Swiss player against Raonic boosting his hope to end the year at the top of the ranking. Djokovic is the first player in the history of Paris Bercy to retain this title and becomes the third player to win this tournament three times following in the footsteps of his coach Boris Becker and Marat Safin. The Serbian star had already won in Paris Bercy in 2009 and 2013. The triumph in the French capital has followed a great week in the life of the 27-year-old Belgrade player after the birth of his first son Stefan
Djokovic got his first break on Raonic’s first service game for 2-0 as the young Canadian hit a backhand volley into the net and held his serve in the next game for 3-0 before racing to 4-1. Raonic faced three break points in the sixth game but he reeled off eight consecutive games to save them with two aces. Djokovic fell 0-40 down on his serve but he saved three break points to pull away to 5-2. Djokovic had only a minor scare when he received medical treatment on his right calf at 5-2 but it was not serious as after returning to the court he got another break of serve on his set point for 6-2 after two unforced errors by the Canadian. The young Canadian reeled off eight consecutive points but Djokovic rallied from 0-40 to save three break-back ball chances in the seventh game Djokovic got his third break of the first set on the set point to wrap up the first set with 6-2 in 43 minutes. Raonic ended the first set with 19 unforced errors.
Djokovic reeled off five consecutive game from 4-2 to pull away to 6-2 3-0. Raonic, who produced 21 aces against Roger Federer in the quarter final, committed a double fault and dropped his serve in the second game of the second set to go down 2-0.
Djokovic backed up the break holding serve in the third game for 3-0. Raonic had no chance to get back into the match.but he saved two match points at 2-5 15-40 with a service winner and a forehand passing shot. Djokovic served out with a forehand down the line on his third match point in the ninth game to lift his third Paris Bercy title, his 20th Master 1000 and his 47th overall of his career. Djokovic crowned a perfect week in which he did not drop a set during the week
Raonic, who has never beaten Djokovic in their four head-to-head matches, won 66 percent of his first serve points and hit just nine aces. He was tired after a great week in which he beat Roger Federer in the quarter final and Tomas Berdych in the semifinal to reach his second Master 1000 final one year after losing to Rafa Nadal in Toronto. Thanks to his very consistent season Raonic has qualified for the ATP Finals for the first time in his career
“The key of the match was to get as many returns back in play. It’s easier said than done when somebody serves regularly around 220 kilometres per hour. Raonic uses it as his big weapon. This was his best shot throughout the week. He relies much on his serve in his game. If I can make him play an extra shot, maybe he drops his percentage of first serves and I can step in and maybe take initiative on the second”, said Djokovic
“This title is for my son. It’s the first Tournament I won since becoming a dad”, said Djokovic.
