Djokovic, 39, beats Vacherot to make Paris Masters history as Ruud knocks out Jodar in the Turin race

Novak Djokovic became the oldest player ever to win a match at the Paris Masters on Tuesday, fighting back to beat Basel champion Valentin Vacherot 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-1 at the Plenitude Arena. On the same day ninth seed Rafael Jodar was knocked out by Casper Ruud, Ben Shelton cruised past Cameron Norrie and Alex Michelsen set up a second-round meeting with Carlos Alcaraz. The race for the last places at the ATP Finals in Turin is now wide open.

Djokovic, 39, passes Connors in Paris

The 10th seed needed 2 hours 35 minutes to get past Vacherot, who arrived in Paris on a five-match winning streak after beating Jiri Lehecka 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in Sunday's Basel final. Djokovic saved three set points while serving at 5-6 in the first set and led 5-3 in the tie-break, but Vacherot won the last four points to take it.

The second set was the turning point. Vacherot broke early to lead 2-0, and Djokovic had to save three break points at 4-4 before breaking at 6-5 to level the match. The Monegasque's errors then mounted in the decider, which Djokovic won 6-1.

At 39, the seven-time Paris champion passed Jimmy Connors, who was also 39 when he won a match at the event in 1991. The win took his match-win total in Paris to a record 51 and ended a run of four straight Masters 1000 defeats, the longest of his career. Djokovic is 11th in the race to Turin on 2,940 points. Tennis Majors reports he needs at least a semi-final to stay in contention, and only the title would guarantee a place. He plays Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata on Wednesday, after Zverev v Musetti on Court Central.

Ruud ends Jodar's run

Ruud beat Jodar 6-3, 6-4 in 1 hour 18 minutes, avenging a defeat to the Spaniard in Shanghai earlier this season. The result hurts Jodar's hopes for Turin. He is ninth in the race on 3,234 points, and the ATP says that currently holds the last qualifying position. Alex de Minaur, 10th in the race, could pass him with a win over Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Djokovic, Taylor Fritz (12th, 2,900) and Tommy Paul (13th, 2,775) are all still in the draw and could also overtake him.

The ATP also confirmed that Flavio Cobolli has qualified for the season finale, which runs from 15 to 22 November. That leaves three spots open. Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz, Shelton and Daniil Medvedev had already booked their places.

Shelton, Fritz and Paul through; Rublev and Lehecka out

Third seed Shelton beat Norrie 6-3, 6-4 in 71 minutes, avenging his only previous loss to the Briton, from Cincinnati. Norrie had knocked Alcaraz out in the second round here last year. Shelton faces Arthur Rinderknech or Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci next.

Fritz came from a set down to beat French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Paul beat Holger Rune 7-5, 6-4 as the Dane continues his return from an Achilles injury. Etcheverry beat Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), and Rinderknech beat 16th seed Francisco Cerundolo 3-6, 7-6 (2), 2-0 when the Argentine retired.

Michelsen came from a set down to beat Lehecka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4. The Czech had needed the Paris title to keep his slim Turin hopes alive.

Wednesday's key matches in Malaysia time

Paris is seven hours behind Malaysia. Times from the official order of play, in MYT:

• Quentin Halys v Frances Tiafoe (7): 6pm Wednesday
• Alexander Zverev (1) v Lorenzo Musetti: not before 8.30pm Wednesday
• Alex Michelsen v Carlos Alcaraz (2): not before 2am Thursday
• Arthur Fils (6) v Tomas Machac: not before 3.30am Thursday

Alcaraz had a first-round bye and beat Lehecka in the Tokyo final last month. He has never gone past the quarter-finals in Paris. Defending champion Jannik Sinner is not playing this year after withdrawing with a right knee injury. The singles final is on Sunday 8 November at 3pm Paris time, which is 10pm in Malaysia.

Key takeaways

• Djokovic beat Vacherot 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-1 to become the oldest match winner in Paris Masters history at 39.
• Ruud's 6-3, 6-4 win over ninth seed Jodar has opened up the race for the last three ATP Finals spots.
• Cobolli has qualified for Turin, joining Zverev, Alcaraz, Shelton and Medvedev.
• Alcaraz faces Michelsen not before 2am Thursday, Malaysia time.

FAQ

What time does Alcaraz play at the Paris Masters? Alcaraz plays Alex Michelsen on Court Central not before 7pm Paris time on Wednesday 4 November, which is 2am Thursday in Malaysia.

Who has qualified for the 2026 ATP Finals? According to the ATP, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev and Flavio Cobolli have qualified, with three places still to be decided.

Can Djokovic still reach Turin? Yes, but he is 11th in the race. Tennis Majors reports he needs at least a semi-final in Paris to stay in contention, and only the title would guarantee qualification.

Sources: Tennis Majors, ATP Tour, Associated Press