Tennis
Rinky Hijikata Eliminates Novak Djokovic at Paris Masters
The Australian qualifier recovered from losing the opening set to beat seven-time Paris champion Djokovic in their third meeting.
Rinky Hijikata came from a set down to eliminate Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday. The Australian qualifier won their third meeting after losing the previous two, according to the tournament’s match report.
Djokovic had beaten Valentin Vacherot in three sets Tuesday and began strongly again, breaking Hijikata’s serve twice in the opening set. Hijikata was making his first appearance at the Paris Masters.
The match changed late in the second set. With Hijikata leading 4–3, he converted his third break point with a winner, then held serve without losing a point to force a deciding set.
Hijikata saved every break point he faced in the third set and won seven of his eight points at the net. Those contributions helped him complete the comeback against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic, a seven-time champion in Paris, had not lost in the tournament’s second round since 2012. Wednesday’s defeat ended his latest run after one victory.
