Karen Khachanov sealed his fourth top 1o win of the week by defeating Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-4 to claim his first Masters 1000 title of his career.
The 22 year-old became the first Russian to win a Masters 1000 title for nine years as he ended the Serbian’s 22 match winning streak.
It also means that Khachanov rises to a career-high ranking of number 11 in the world and will become the second alternate for next week’s ATP Finals.
As for a fatigued Djokovic, he will become the new world number one tomorrow when the rankings are released tomorrow.
It was a strong start for the Serb as he converted his fifth break point to seal an early break for 3-1.
Although he looked to dominate early on, Khachanov insisted on his powerful forehands and an uncharacteristic error from Djokovic saw the break handed right back. Djokovic frustrated.
Despite surviving the Russian’s power, Djokovic crumbled under pressure as some insane defence saw Khachanov get the crucial break. The kind of defence we’re used to seeing from a certain Serbian tennis player.
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Four points in a row completed an impressive first set from Khachanov as he was a set away from history.
The young Russian’s momentum was carried into the second set as he sealed an early break of serve as Djokovic started to feel the effects of yesterday’s epic semi-final battle.
Some good defending kept the new world number one in the match as he was making some erratic decision making including trying to serve and volley.
It was clear that he wasn’t fit and well, but all the credit went to Khachanov as he completed his victory in 1 hour and 39 minutes.
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History was made after becoming the first Russian to win a Masters event in nine years. Furthermore he completed his win with four top-10 wins with all of this coming after saving match points against John Isner in the third round.
After the match the Russian remained humble in victory and was proud of his efforts, “This means the world to me,” Khachanov said.
“I couldn’t be happier to finish the season like this. Winning a Masters 1000 against the world number 1.”
The win also means Khachanov is the second consecutive first-time Masters 1000 winner in Paris after Jack Sock did it last year.
Masters 1000 Series Winners
Today’s result also means that Rafael Nadal will end the year with the most Masters 1000 victories in the season, with three titles. Here are this year’s winners:
Indian Wells: Juan Martin Del Potro
Miami: John Isner
Monte-Carlo: Rafael Nadal
Madrid: Alexander Zverev
Rome: Rafael Nadal
Toronto: Rafael Nadal
Cincinnati: Novak Djokovic
Shanghai: Novak Djokovic
Paris: Karen Khachanov
The ATP World Tour concludes next week with the ATP Finals in London, with Novak Djokovic looking to secure the year-end world number one.
