Struff beats Djokovic in Basel to dent ATP Finals qualification hopes

Novak Djokovic's bid to reach the ATP Finals suffered a setback at the Swiss Indoors in Basel, where Jan-Lennard Struff defeated him for the first time in nine meetings. According to BBC Sport, the result leaves Djokovic 11th in the season standings, with further ground to make up before the tournament in Turin next month.

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Struff, ranked 27th in the world, prevailed 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) against the 39-year-old Serb. Djokovic was competing in Basel for the first time in 15 years, but his return ended with a three-set defeat after he had beaten France's Ugo Humbert on Wednesday. Two of the three sets were decided by tie-breaks, with Struff taking the decider.

The German said he had needed to attack and deliver his best tennis to give himself a chance against an opponent who had won all their previous encounters. BBC Sport reported that Struff described those earlier defeats as comfortable wins for Djokovic. This time, he overturned the opening-set loss to secure a breakthrough in their head-to-head record.

Djokovic now trails Rafael Jodar by 319 points in the qualification race. Jodar occupies ninth place but holds the final available qualifying position because world number one Jannik Sinner is injured and will not compete, according to the BBC. The ATP Finals field normally comprises the year's eight leading performers. Djokovic still has an opportunity to improve his position at the Paris Masters in November, so the Basel defeat does not end his chances.

Qualification would give Djokovic a record 19th appearance at the season-ending event, moving him ahead of Roger Federer. The 24-time Grand Slam singles champion has won the ATP Finals seven times, also a record, but missed the previous two editions through injury. This year's tournament in Turin is scheduled for 15-22 November.

Ben Shelton, whose place in Turin is already confirmed alongside Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, also lost in Basel. Swiss wildcard Jerome Kym, ranked 222nd, beat the top-seeded American 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-1). Unlike Djokovic, Shelton's qualification was already secured before his exit.