Novak Djokovic assured to complete because the world No 1 for a record-breaking SEVENTH time

Novak Djokovic made one other piece of historical past by beating Hubert Hurkacz within the semi-finals of the Rolex Paris Masters to make sure he’ll end a season ranked world primary for the seventh time.

The 20-time grand slam champion can not now be caught by US Open winner Daniil Medvedev and breaks the report he collectively held with Pete Sampras.

Djokovic has topped the standings in seven of the previous 11 seasons and broke the report for probably the most weeks at primary for any male participant earlier this 12 months.

Novak Djokovic beat Hubert Hurkacz within the semi-finals of the Rolex Paris Masters to make sure he’ll end a season ranked world primary for the seventh time

He has now been primary for 345 weeks and counting, along with his most up-to-date spell starting in February 2020.

Djokovic stated: ‘(I am) simply proud and very completely satisfied. Clearly that was one of many largest objectives, and it is at all times one of many largest objectives, to attempt to be primary and finish the season as primary.

‘To do it for the report seventh time and surpass my childhood idol and function mannequin Pete is unbelievable. Very grateful, very blessed to be on this place.’

The 20-time grand slam champion can not now be caught by US Open winner Daniil Medvedev and breaks the report he collectively held with Pete Sampras (above) 

Djokovic returned to motion this week for the primary time since he fell one step wanting a calendar Grand Slam by shedding to Medvedev within the last in New York.

He has regarded understandably a bit rusty however recovered from a set right down to defeat Hurkacz 3-6 6-0 7-6 (5).

The Pole had already achieved his essential objective of the week by clinching the eighth spot on the ATP Finals later this month, and he hit again from 4-1 down within the deciding set to drive a tie-break however fell simply quick.

Within the last, Djokovic will once more face Medvedev, the defending champion, who claimed a surprisingly one-sided 6-2 6-2 victory over Alexander Zverev to increase his successful run at Bercy.

Djokovic (above) has topped the standings in seven of the previous 11 seasons and broke the report for probably the most weeks at primary for any male participant earlier this 12 months

Within the last, Djokovic will once more face Daniil Medvedev (above), the defending champion, who claimed a surprisingly one-sided 6-2 6-2 victory over Alexander Zverev

Djokovic stated: ‘Final time we performed, he overplayed me. I overplayed him within the finals of the Australian Open. It was fairly simple matches, each of them.

‘Hopefully I will be capable of flip the tables round this time, studying from that have in New York. He is been taking part in implausible tennis. He is again at his finest in an important match, once more, in opposition to Zverev in semis. He isn’t lacking a lot and serving large. It looks like he is discovering the groove.

‘We performed a really shut apply set about 10 days in the past earlier than coming right here to Paris. So let’s hope for the sake of the followers and everybody concerned we are able to have an exhilarating match. I sit up for that problem.’