And here’s the report.
More from Khachanov, in glowing tribute to Djokovic.
I would like to congratulate Novak on a great comeback from the beginning of the year. Honestly, you are such an inspiration and truly a champion of the sport. I was honoured to share the court with you today.
Djokovic speaks.
I am very happy to have reached the final. I didn’t feel too good but I must give my congratulations to Karen. He deserves this trophy and I am sure we will see many more matches from him in the future.
Karen Khachanov speaks, briefly.
It means the world for me, to win the last tournament of the year against Novak Djokovic, the number one in the world. Next year? The same goals as this year, to try to improve.
Djokovic was not himself, perhaps, but Khachanov was awesome, with barely a fault to his game. He has a huge serve, and won 76 percent of points on his serve; he also did well in the long rallies and volleyed beautifully. What an achievement. Djoko will be world number one tomorrow, but his conqueror might hold that crown one day soon.
Updated
Khachanov wins the Paris Masters, beating Djokovic 7-5 6-4!
Second set: Khachanov* 6-4 Djokovic (*denotes server): The first point is a long one, and Khachanov holds on to win it. The second is even longer, and Djokovic wins it as his opponent hits the deck. A serve and volley makes it 30-15. A backhand winner makes it 40-15, now for the match. Djokovic misses and the Russian is a Masters champion!
Updated
Second set: Khachanov 5-4 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djoko challenges what looked a winner. The ball was called out, and he correctly called it as in. That makes it 30-0, swiftly followed by 40-0. An easy, uncontested, winner makes it game point but the next game is where it counts.
Second set: Khachanov* 5-3 Djokovic (*denotes server): Two overhit shots from Djokovic force Khachanov into a 30-0 lead and then a 40-0 lead. Then an ace, and he will get the chance to serve out the match, no matter what happens in the next game.
Second set: Khachanov 4-3 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Awesome stuff from Khachanov, as he forces another break point with one of those forehands. The crowd are firmly on his side at 30-40 but he can’t stop being hauled back to deuce. Then a backhand forces a third break point before a skidding serve leads to another deuce. Djokovic then ratchets up the forehand, forcing Khachanob back but can’t serve it out. Another deuce, another advantage to Djokovic and this time, he lands it. That was crucial.
Second set: Khachanov* 4-2 Djokovic (*denotes server): The Khachanov serve reaches 212kph but is it beginning to malfunction? A couple of loose moments, but a overhead smash forces game point before Djokovic finds a winner with a backhand for deuce. A bludgeoned ace forces advantage to Khachanov, and the game is won by an overhit service return.
Second set: Khachanov 3-2 Djokovic* (*denotes server): There is a dog in Djokovic’s fight yet as he serves to love. That was very easy, as if Khachanov might fancy just serving this out. A risky idea if ever there were.
Second set: Khachanov* 3-1 Djokovic (*denotes server): Amazing volley from Khachanov, using his entire wing span races the Russian to 30-0. Djokovic drops a howler to go 40-15 down. Then Khachanov smashes an ace to win the set. Thomas Tuchel looks like he is loving this.
Second set: Khachanov 2-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djokovic’s pinched features are wracked with doubt. He double faults to go 0-30 down and then 15-40. The home crowd roar on the Russian; the French like an underdog, too. Djoko makes it back to 40-40, but then an amazing passing shot forces another break point. He whips it with that brutal forehand, before a chipped return lands another break.
Second set: Khachanov* 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes server): The Russian in red wallops an opening ace then, for 40-15, gets to the net, and plays an exquisite drop shot. Another ace wins the game for a facile hold.
Second set: Khachanov 0-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server): What can Djokovic find? He begins with real purpose, knowing he must step it up against this brutaliser of an opponent. He serves out that game with few dramas.
Khachanov takes the first set!
First set: Khachanov* 7-5 Djokovic (*denotes server): First double fault betrays some nerves, as does a missed first serve on the next point to go 0-30. Djokovic is tigerish in chasing this one down. He is annoyed but not demoralised, though the power of his opponent forces it to 30-30. Another forehand sets Djokovic scrabbling at the back of the court, somewhere in the next arrondissement. A crashing ace wins the set for Khachanov!
Updated
First set: Khachanov 6-5 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djoko not happy with life. Or himself, at least. Against this giant Russian, his thin frame makes him look almost boyish and it’s Khachanov who senses a chance and lands a break point. Djokovic challenges the call but loses, and then is beaten by a crashing passing shot when he is forced to take his second serve. Now Khachanov will serve for the set!
First set: Khachanov* 5-5 Djokovic (*denotes server): Khachanov goes for a big winner on the first shot but booms his shot out, then he can only crash the next shot into the net for 0-30. A peel of applause as Djokovic senses a chance but he misses a glaring chance for a winner. He does the same for 30-30, and looks tired. Khachanov blazes a forehand winner and can serve out his hold, which he completes with a crashed backhand.
First set: Khachanov 4-5* Djokovic (*denotes server): Khachanov has not quite got the zip of that ten-game sequence of points but he is making Djokovic, the most supreme athlete in the sport, work so hard. He holds this game, and now has a chance to win the set by breaking his opponent. He wins this on off a fortuitous bounce off the net cord.
First set: Khachanov* 4-4 Djokovic (*denotes server): PSG coach Thomas Tuchel is watching in the crowd here, and must relate to the huge pressure these players are putting on each other. Khachanov blasts a shot to make it 40-15, which annoys Djokovic, who is even more peeved when he ends up losing the game.
First set: Khachanov 3-4 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djokovic is rattled now; he is really being made to work. The first point is a classic, and Khachanov wins another battle of drop shots at the net. Then hits an amazing winner down the line with a bullet of a forehand. That makes it ten points in a row for the Russian before Djokovic forces an error from his serve. Respite at last? A heavy backhand makes it 30-30. Then another error from Khachanov, who is caught out by a slower speed of ball. Then he comes forward to force two deuces. Djokovic catches him out to force another advantage and finally a hold of serve.
First set: Khachanov* 3-3 Djokovic (*denotes server): Djokovic challenges the first point and loses; his opponent’s winner was in. Then Khachanov hits a winner at the net. This is brutal stuff from him. He serves to 40-0, then hits another ace.
Updated
First set: Khachanov 2-3 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Few grunts of rage from the young Muscovite; his opponent is making him work though Djokovic is angry when he misses a winner of his own and then overcooks a backhand to make it 30-30. Then Khachanov takes his turn to make his opponent work. Brutal winner from him at the net to land a break point. Then another error from Djokovic and it’s an exchange of breaks!
First set: Khachanov* 1-3 Djokovic (*denotes server): A roar from the Russian as he loses the first point when going for the backhand winner. His second shot is similarly wayward, and then he misses his first save. Djokovic then pulls off an act of escapology to force three break points with a winner derived from what looked a certain winner Khachanov then serves his way to 30-40 and smacks a winner for deuce. Djokovic is annoyed with himself and curses the gods. He gets another chance after his opponent makes an error and then, after the Russian misses his first serve, he forces a break.
First set: Khachanov 1-2 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Khachanov slips on the first point as they exchange drop shots. No damage done, though, but Djokovic has him chasing all over the court and forcing errors. Djoko doesn’t serve out to love as the Russian plays an excellent passing shot to make it 40-15 and then repeats it with a bludgeoned forehand. A wayward backhand secures the game for a relieved Djokovic.
First set: Khachanov* 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes server): Khachanov, at 6 foot six inches, owns a bruising serve, and aces the first point before he is sent all over the court for the second. The key to the game is the return of service and a long rally forces break point at 30-40 before the Russian wins a rally for the first time to go to deuce. A crashing winner gives Khachanov advantage but deuce comes around again. Khachanov has got every first serve in, and continues that run as he sees out a hold of serve.
First set: Khachanov 0-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djokovic serves first, and surges into a 30-0 lead. Plenty of shots from the baseline to begin with and he gets to game point with a smash at the net. His attempted drop volley goes out to give Khachanov a first point before he serves out for an easy hold.
Updated
An outbreak of squeaking - the true sound of indoor tennis - means the players are knocking up as Djokovic goes for his 33rd Masters title, which puts him level all time with Rafa Nadal. Djoko looks good for someone who is supposed to have flu. His opponent, clad all in red, is a very bid lad indeed.
Khachanov is trained by Vedran Martic, who used to work with Goran Ivanisevic, and has a similar game with plenty of firepower. Djokovic is one of the best returners of serve in history, though and the game’s ultimate athlete.
These two finalists have met just once, and it was at this year’s Wimbledon in the round of 16, with Djokovic prevailing 6-4 6-2 6-2.
More on Djokovic from earlier this week.
That Djokovic victory over Federer denied the other great man his 100th career title, which would have emulated Jimmy Connors.
Preamble
Having seen off Roger Federer, is this match a mere Parisian Sunday stroll for Novak Djokovic, who will reclaim the world no.1 spot on Monday come what may?
Not according to Novak himself. Khachanov may be world no. 18, but he has collected some significant scalps this week with Dominic Thiem on Saturday following Alexander Zverev and John Isner to make that three top ten players beaten in the French capital. “Karen deserves where he is, in the final,” said Djoko. “Except one of his matches, he won all of them in straight sets and he’s first time in the final of a Masters. He’s been playing some really good tennis - very, very solid from back of the court. Very strong, great serve.”
And Djokovic might be a little fatigued after a classic three-setter against Rog on Saturday, which took him to the outer limits, including some racket abuse and code violation.
What more of Khachanov, the Dubai-based Russian? Well, to this ageing fan of post-punk and non-landfill indie music, his forename conjures this earworm.
Updated
