Hijikata stuns Djokovic to end ATP Finals hopes at Paris Masters

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 05:41 · Archive

Australian Rinky Hijikata defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the Paris Masters second round, eliminating the 39-year-old from ATP Finals contention.

Rinky Hijikata defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the second round of the Paris Masters, claiming the biggest win of his career. The Australian qualifier, ranked world No 83, recovered from losing the opening set to dominate the final two sets with an aggressive display featuring 37 winners, including 29 forehand winners.

Djokovic, 39, had entered the Paris Masters in a late attempt to reach the season-ending ATP Finals. He needed to reach at least the semi-finals to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the eight-player tournament. His chances had appeared to improve earlier that day when other players ahead of him in the Race to Turin standings—Frances Tiafoe, Rafael Jodar and Alex de Minaur—all exited the tournament.

Hijikata, playing through a neck injury he had sustained the day before, found an inspired level of tennis to upset Djokovic. He became the fourth Australian to defeat Djokovic and the lowest-ranked player to beat him in 2026. 'I wasn't even close to his level in that set. I couldn't touch his serve either, he was acing me for fun,' Hijikata said after the match. 'I knew I just had to really hang tough, and take it to him and play aggressive.'

Djokovic described himself as 'dominating for a set and a few games' before his form deteriorated. 'Disappointment, obviously, losing a match that I felt like I was dominating for a set and a few games,' the Serbian said. Djokovic had arrived in Paris fresh from winning his 102nd tour-level title in Beijing the previous month.

Hijikata advanced to face Tomas Martín Etcheverry of Argentina in the third round. Etcheverry had himself upset Australia's Alex de Minaur, the world No 8 and a previous two-time ATP Finals qualifier, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 in the same round. This was Etcheverry's first victory over a top-10 player.

How it is being reported

• ‘Playing out of his mind’: Novak Djokovic hails Rinky Hijikata after Australian’s stunning win in ParisHijikata wins 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to end Serb’s ATP Finals hopes He becomes just fourth Australian to conquer Djokovic Rinky Hijikata has revealed he almost didn’t even take the court before notching the biggest win of his career to send the great Novak Djokovic crashing out of ATP Finals contention. Continuing his inspired run from qualifying, Hijikata lit up the indoor Plenitude Arena to bring down Djokovic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to surge into the Paris Masters third round. Continue reading...The Guardian · 5 Nov, 01:55
• Hijikata stuns Djokovic to end 24-time grand slam champ's ATP Finals chancesRinky Hijikata has pulled off a stunning upset over 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic, eliminating him from the Paris Masters and ending his hopes of qualifying for the end-of-year ATP Finals.ABC News Australia · 4 Nov, 19:28
• Novak Djokovic’s ATP Finals hopes brought to stunning end in huge Paris shockRinky Hijikata claimed his first-ever win against Djokovic, coming from a set down to win 2-6 6-3 6-3 in ParisIndependent Sport · 4 Nov, 17:15
• Djokovic breaks Paris Masters record and sets up clash with AussieNovak Djokovic continues to show that age is just a number as he sets his eyes on Australia's Rinky Hijikata next.ABC News Australia · 3 Nov, 20:16

In this story: Rinky Hijikata · Novak Djokovic · Paris Masters · ATP Finals · Alex de Minaur · Tomas Martín Etcheverry · Australia

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