World number one Novak Djokovic won a sixth Paris title and record 37th Masters crown on Sunday, beating 2020 champion Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final.
The 34-year-old Serbian gained a measure of revenge over his Russian opponent who dashed his dreams of a Grand Slam sweep when he beat him in the US Open final in September.
The Masters title secured Djokovic’s second record in as many days after he was confirmed as season-ending world number one for the seventh time.
Medvedev said Djokovic — who he calls his “friend” — was stronger on the crucial points.
“I don’t like losing so I cannot say I am happy, I don’t even like losing at Play Station!” said Medvedev at his press conference.
“But I gave everything and maybe I could have done a winner here or there or served one or two more aces.
“When you lose a match you always have the feeling that you can do a bit better. The trouble was Novak won the crucial points and apart from the first set I did not.
“However, I take consolation in having given everything against the best player in the world of all time. It was a good battle.”
In an entertaining contest, befitting a duel between the top two in the world, Djokovic again had to come back from a set down after needing three sets to beat Hubert Hurkacz in the semi-finals.
It was only the second time the top two in the ATP rankings had clashed in the Paris final.
Sunday’s crowd got better value than French fans on the previous occasion in 1990 when Boris Becker retired injured at 3-3 in the first set against then number one Stefan Edberg.
The pivotal game on Sunday came as Djokovic served to level the match, saving two break points before securing the second set on his third set point after 11 minutes
