World number one Novak Djokovic posted his 600th career victory on the ATP Tour on Sunday at the Paris Masters. The Serbian defeated Milos Raonic 6-2, 6-3 to win his 20th Masters title. The 27-year old joins Roger Federer (991 wins), Rafael Nadal (706 wins), Lleyton Hewitt (611 wins) and David Ferrer (602 wins) as active ATP Tour players with 600 or more wins.
The successful title defense in Paris means that Djokovic has extended his lead over Roger Federer in the Race to London standings. He now has a 1,310 point lead heading into the ATP World Tour Finals. Federer lost in the quarterfinals to Raonic.
“I see it better now than one week ago, that’s for sure,” Djokovic said regarding the battle for year-end number one. “It helps that I won the title in Bercy, that I’m playing well, and that I’m feeling good about myself on the court playing indoors. That encourages me, as I said before, prior to the last event of the year.
“Now I cannot affect his matches. I can affect only what I can do in my own matches. So I’ll try to stay focused on what I need to do and play well in London. Every match that I play and win gets me closer to holding No. 1 at the end of the year.”
The undefeated champion at the ATP World Tour Finals in London will get 1,500 points which means that Federer could still catch up and end as the year-end number one. Djokovic is a two-time defending champion in London.
“I played the best match of the entire week today when it was most needed,” said Djokovic. “I got a lot of returns back and just overall I’m extremely happy with the performance.”
The Paris Masters is Djokovic’s first tournament since he and wife, Jelena, welcomed their first baby, Stefan, on October 21. He now has a total of three Paris Masters title (2009, 2013 and 2014).
Despite the loss, Raonic has accumulated enough ranking points to qualify for London for the first time in his career.
In doubles, top-ranked Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan won the title – their 102nd tour-level crown after defeating Jurgen Melzer and Marcin Matkowski 7-6, 5-7, 10-6. This the Bryan’s 32nd career ATP Masters 1000 title.
