Karen Khachanov defied the bookmakers at the Paris Masters by defeating Novak Djokovic 7/5, 6/4 in a major upset that shook all the records. In a domineering performance, the world number 18 powered his way over the seemingly battle-weary tournament’s second seed.
Djokovic served first and held, although he struggled with his first serves. Khachanov faced break point at 30-40 in the second game but saved it and held with an ace. In the fourth game, Khachanov fell behind 0-30 on his next service game and saved a break point with his second ace but eventually conceded and Djokovic lead 3-1.
Serving to consolidate, Djokovic failed to deliver first serves and Khachanov broke back and leveled. It was his doorway to a 7/5 first set.
With his service woes persisting, Djokovic was broken in the third game and his opponent extended the lead to 3-1. Although Djokovic held his serve to reduce the tally 2-3, Khachanov extended the lead, after saving a break point, yet again. Serving in the seventh game, Djokovic was down 15-40. There was a visible sign of dejection when he kicked a bounced-back missed first serve. However, he fought back to deuce, lost the first advantage point and required two of his own to hold serve for a 4-3 tally.
Khachanov extended the lead to 5-3 on serve and Djokovic held serve for 4-5. Serving for the set, Khachanov hammered first serves that cracked through Djokovic famed returning prowess. After one hour and 37 minutes, the 22-year old man from Russia, clinched the match for another historic title this season, after his success at home in the Moscow Kremlin Cup. Read more