Novak Djokovic became the oldest ever winner at the Paris Masters after downing Valentin Vacherot in a thriller. ( Sport News/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images )
Novak Djokovic has become the oldest player to win a match at the Paris Masters after downing Valentin Vacherot in three sets.
Djokovic, 39, came back from a set down to win 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-1.
Djokovic will face in-form Australian Rinky Hijikata next and could potentially face Alex de Minaur later in the tournament if the bracket breaks as expected.
Novak Djokovic is looming ominously as a threat to Alex de Minaur's hopes of reaching the ATP Finals with his opening victory at the Paris Masters — but a fellow Sydneysider will be out to do 'Demon' a big favour.
Djokovic, a seven-time champion in the ATP 1000 event, had to negotiate a scare late in the second set before ousting the in-form Monegasque Valentin Vacherot 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-1 in the first round on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).
Serving at a set down and 4-4, the 24-time grand slam champ had to save three break points to prevent Vacherot, fresh from winning the Swiss Indoors in Basle, from serving for the match at the Plenitude Arena before he rallied to grab a hard-fought win.
At 39, Djokovic set yet another record as the oldest winner in the tournament's history, and couldn't resist a little shot at those who've dared suggest he's over the hill by declaring: "For an old guy, not so bad, huh?!
"People think I am too old and slow, but somehow I find a way to win these kinds of matches that go the distance. I am still there, and I am still holding on and trying to find my best tennis when it matters."
The win strengthened his 10th position, just one behind Alex de Minaur, in the live Race to Turn standings as the pair both jostle to be among the eight qualifiers for the ATP Finals.
Should Djokovic and de Minaur meet in the third round, the loser may well see his Finals hopes end, but before then, the Australian must beat Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry while Djokovic will have to defeat de Minaur's Davis Cup teammate Rinky Hijikata in round two.
Hijikata is having a great week after three victories — two in qualifying and one first-round win — without dropping a set, and he could take extra confidence after Djokovic needed a medical timeout in the second set against Vacherot to have his right shoulder treated.
Djokovic will face Australia's Rinky Hijikata (pictured) next. ( Getty Images: Steven Paston/PA Images )
An early off-day could spell curtains for either Djokovic or de Minaur, who began the week in eighth spot before young Spanish star Rafael Jodar edged ahead in the live standings with his first-round win.
World no.31 Etcheverry will be a potentially awkward hurdle for world No.9 de Minaur but the Australian may well have preferred to play him than old foe Andrey Rublev, who lost 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3) to the Argentine on Tuesday.
The fight is really on now to get to Turin with Taylor Fritz, just behind Djokovic in the race, having also won on Tuesday against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
In other first-round matches on Tuesday, French teenager Moïse Kouame, the young home sensation at the French Open earlier in the year, bowing out 6-3, 6-1 to Nuno Borges, while 2022 champion Holger Rune, on the comeback trail after his Achilles injury, lost 7-5, 6-4 to No.12 seed Tommy Paul.
