Novak Djokovic keeps ATP Finals hopes alive with success at Paris Masters

Novak Djokovic kept alive his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals with a comeback victory over Valentin Vacherot in the first round of the Paris Masters.

Djokovic is playing in the final Masters 1000 of the season for the first time in three years in a bid to reach the eight-man tournament in Turin later this month.

He will need to go deep into the tournament to force his way in but a 6-7 (5) 7-5 6-1 victory over last week’s Swiss Indoors champion was a positive start.

Djokovic led 5-3 in the first-set tie-break after saving three set points but Vacherot responded by winning four points in a row and immediately broke serve at the start of the second set.

Djokovic then took a medical timeout for treatment to his right shoulder before retrieving the break, and it was Vacherot calling for the trainer to address pain in his left foot at 3-4.

The pressure was growing on the man from Monaco, and Djokovic assumed full control after breaking to clinch the second set.

Asked on Sky Sports how he was feeling physically, Djokovic, who next plays Australian Rinky Hijikata, said: “Not the freshest but obviously glad to turn this match around.

“His third serve is quicker than my first so it’s very difficult to face someone like that. I should have taken that first set, just an awful volley at 5-4 and next thing you know you’re down a set and down a break.”

There was disappointment for British No 1 Arthur Fery, who was edged out by big-serving Frenchman Quentin Halys.

There was disappointment for Arthur Fery (Reuters)

Fery was unable to take two set points in the first-set tie-break and, although he played the shot of the match with a between-the-legs drop shot winner, it was Halys who claimed the only break of serve and a 7-6 (6) 7-5 victory.