Hijikata comeback ends Djokovic’s season and ATP Finals hopes

Novak Djokovic's season ended at the Paris Masters after Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata overturned a one-set deficit to win their second-round match. The 2-6 6-3 6-3 result also eliminated Djokovic from contention for the ATP Finals in Turin, BBC Sport reported on Wednesday, leaving him without a chance to add to his seven titles at the season-ending event.

Watch the highlights:

Djokovic, 39, took the opening set but could not maintain that advantage against the world number 83. Hijikata improved towards the end of the second set and carried that form into the third. The BBC described Djokovic as appearing physically laboured as errors accumulated during the latter stages; its report did not identify a specific injury.

A semi-final appearance in Paris had looked likely to be necessary for Djokovic to qualify for Turin. His prospects had received a boost earlier in the day when two other contenders lost, but the opportunity disappeared with his own defeat. According to the BBC, this is only the second time in the past 20 seasons that he has missed qualification while fit.

The early exit extended a contrast between Djokovic's Grand Slam results and his performances at Masters 1000 level this season. He reached the Australian Open final and the Wimbledon semi-finals, yet did not make a quarter-final at any of the year's Masters 1000 tournaments. His most recent Grand Slam title remains the 2023 US Open, the last of his 24 major singles trophies.

The remaining battle for the final two Turin places now involves Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, who are trying to displace Frances Tiafoe and Rafael Jodar. Tiafoe lost to Quentin Halys on Wednesday, 6-3 1-6 7-6 (11-9). Alex de Minaur then missed his own opportunity to advance his qualification hopes, losing 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 to Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

There were also defeats for two players whose ATP Finals places were already secure. World number one Alexander Zverev lost in straight sets to Lorenzo Musetti, while fourth seed Daniil Medvedev fell 6-4 6-4 to Peru's Ignacio Buse, ranked 33rd. For Djokovic, unlike those already-qualified players, defeat in Paris closed the route to Turin entirely.