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Novak Djokovic US Open 2021
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WATCH: Novak Djokovic takes to Paris practice court ahead of competitive return


Novak Djokovic hit under the lights in Paris ahead of his push for a record-extending sixth career title at the final Masters event of 2021.

The world number one recently took to practising with US Open champion Daniil Medvedev at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Nice.

Now, with his first tournament match since the American Slam approaching, Djokovic has taken to the Paris surface with Grigor Dimitrov.

The Serb will be looking to add a fifth title to his 2021. It was also be his first at Masters 1000 level this year.

In prioritising the Slams this season, Djokovic has competed at just two of seven Masters events. Those appearances were in Monte Carlo and Rome.

He reached the final of Rome before losing to Rafael Nadal. It was their ninth career meeting at the Italian event, sixth in a final.

In Paris, Djokovic most recently won the title in 2019, the last time he attended the tournament. Prior to that, the 34-year-old won in 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

 

 

In his first match, Djokovic will face world number 40 Marton Fucsovics of Hungary. Fucsovics has played Djokovic three times before. Their most recent meeting came in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon, which Djokovic won in straight sets. The Serb leads the head-to-head 3-0.

In fact, Djokovic will have to reach the quarter-finals before he would face a player that has ever beaten hime.

He holds perfect win-loss records against Adrian Mannarino (4-0), Nikoloz Basilashvili (2-0), Miomir Kecmanovic (1-0) and Gael Monfils (17-0), his four potential third round opponents.

Paris also presents an opportunity for Djokovic to consolidate his push to be year-end world number one for a record seventh time.

He currently leads world number two Daniil Medvedev by 1,900 ranking points. As such, the Russian must reach the final in Paris to have a chance at taking the number one spot from Djokovic before the end of the year.


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