Novak Djokovic found himself on the precipice of an unexpected upset at the Rolex Paris Masters, but he refused to bow out without a fight. The Serbian superstar battled back from a set down to overcome Tallon Griekspoor and secure his spot in the tournament’s quarter-finals.

Djokovic’s triumph wasn’t without its challenges, as he had to dig deep to claim a 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 victory. This hard-fought win marked his 15th consecutive triumph and further solidified his position at the top of the ATP rankings, extending his reign as the No. 1 player in the Pepperstone ATP Ranking.

In a testament to his unmatched consistency, Djokovic now leads Carlos Alcaraz by a significant 670-point margin in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin, a barometer for the year-end No. 1 ranking. Alcaraz, unfortunately, suffered an upset in his Paris opener at the hands of Roman Safiullin. Witness the best tennis game ever with attractive betting odds from Nextbet. 

The match against Griekspoor was far from routine for Djokovic, who revealed that he had been grappling with a stomach issue. However, he commended Griekspoor’s remarkable effort and performance, acknowledging that the Dutch player had maintained a high level of play throughout the contest.

Djokovic reflected on his struggles, saying, “I’ve been struggling the last couple of days with my stomach, and I just didn’t feel myself at all.” He praised his opponent’s performance, stating that if Griekspoor had emerged victorious, it would have been well-deserved.

The Serbian star’s resilience shone through, with Djokovic starting well but subsequently facing a dip in his performance. He expressed his relief at overcoming the challenge and credited a strong tie-break performance in the second set for regaining control of the match. Djokovic’s tie-break record this season stands at an impressive 27-5, the best on the ATP Tour.

Tallon Griekspoor certainly provided a stern test for Djokovic, showcasing a brilliant serving display and mounting a comeback that saw him snatch the opening set after a five-game winning streak. Griekspoor continued to press his advantage, creating break points in the second set. However, Djokovic’s resilience and expertise in tie-breaks ultimately sealed his victory.

Novak Djokovic’s relentless pursuit of success this season continues, as he advances to the quarter-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris. With his eyes set on a record-extending seventh Paris singles title, he remains a formidable contender as the lone top four seed in the quarters.

In the next round, Djokovic will face either sixth seed Holger Rune or Germany’s Daniel Altmaier. If it’s Rune, it will mark their fourth Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, with Djokovic aiming to level the series at 2-2. Djokovic is looking to avenge his previous losses to Rune, including one in last year’s Paris final and another in this season’s Rome quarters.

Griekspoor’s impressive performance elevated him to No. 21 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, setting the stage for him to achieve a career high for the second consecutive week in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Djokovic’s journey at the Paris Masters continues, and the tennis world eagerly awaits his future battles in this prestigious tournament. Get the latest updates from the world of tennis only on Nextbet Sports.