Djokovic survives major scare at Paris Masters to advance after calling doctor

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Novak Djokovic survived a huge scare at the Rolex Paris Masters as he came from a set down to defeat Tallon Griekspoor 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4. The top seed grabbed his ticket to the quarter-final after raising concern when he called the doctor after dropping the opener. Griekspoor was five points away from victory in the second set before Djokovic stormed back.

Djokovic came into the contest with a 2-0 record against Griekspoor, including a win earlier this year in Dubai. The top seed got off to a flying start in Paris-Bercy on Wednesday when he ousted Tomas Etcheverry in just 84 minutes and he was quick off the mark again in the round of 16, breaking his opponent at the first opportunity. 

Sensing that he needed a push, the fans tried to spur Griekspoor on and let out a huge cheer when the top seed wrongly challenged one of the Dutchman’s winners while leading 4-2. With what looked to be barely a millimetre catching the line, Griekspoor managed to make a dent in the Djokovic serve at 40-30.

The crowd support pushed him on as Griekspoot won two more points to get his first opportunity to break and fired a winner straight past the world No 1 to get back on serve. Djokovic’s level suddenly dropped, as he hit two double faults in the next game to give his opponent triple break point.

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Having saved all three, the 24-time Grand Slam champion found himself facing another and, following a lengthy rally, Djokovic sent the ball long to hand Griekspoor the break. After being 1-4 down, the world No 23 reeled off his fifth game in a row to take the opener 6-4 in just 47 minutes – the first set he has ever won against Djokovic. 

There was some concern as the 36-year-old then called the doctor onto the court, who appeared to hand something to Djokovic. The world No 1 continued to play as normal at the start of the second set, throwing in some more double faults and saving a break point. Djokovic looked more like his usual self when he set up triple break point in the next game but he couldn’t convert any of them.

The Serb looked to be staring down the barrel of defeat when Griekspoor had two break points at 4-4, which would give him a chance to serve for the biggest win of his career. But Djokovic kept his nose in front, holding on to lead 5-4. The set went to a tiebreak where Djokovic stormed to a 5-0 lead and eventually took the set 7-6(2), staying alive after being two games from a loss.

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It was the 36-year-old pounced first in the decider, taking a 4-2 lead and had chances for the double break but Griekspoor refused to go away. Suddenly the world No 23 was back in the match as Djokovic handed him the break back on a double fault, sarcastically clapping the crowd after finding himself at 4-4 as some boos rang out in response. 

But, as he so often does, the world No 1 took the adversity in his stride and immediately responded by setting up triple break point. And he only needed the one, regaining his advantage and closing out a dramatic three-set victory in two hours and 37 minutes.

Djokovic will now face either Holger Rune or Daniel Altmaier in the quarter-final. If he does take on Rune it would be a rematch of last year’s final where the Dane, then aged just 19, came from a set down to stun Djokovic and lift the title. The top seed will be looking to get revenge as he has a 1-2 record against the world No 7, also losing their match in the Rome Masters quarter-final earlier this year.

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