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Grigor Dimitrov enjoyed a great week in Paris, reaching his second Masters 1000 final and the first in six years. Novak beat Grigor 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 37 minutes, claiming his 40th Masters 1000 crown and leaving Grigor on one.
The Bulgarian could not find his emotions after the match, crying happy tears after an excellent week. Novak dropped 11 points in nine service games, never facing a break point and keeping the pressure on the other side. Grigor struggled to keep that pace in his games, getting broken three times and finishing runner-up.
Djokovic had to dig deep in the previous three matches, spending almost nine hours on the court but prevailing in the crucial moments. The Serb raised his level in the final, overpowering the Bulgarian in the shortest and most advanced rallies en route to a milestone title.
Grigor forced Novak’s mistake in the encounter’s first game, holding after deuce.
Grigor Dimitrov felt emotional after losing the Paris Masters final.
Djokovic grabbed the second game with a service winner, and they served well to lock the result at 3-3 after Novak’s ace down the T line.
Grigor faced issues behind the initial shot in the seventh game, facing a break point after a wayward forehand and losing serve after a massive backhand mistake at the net. Novak cemented the lead with a service winner in game eight, doing everything right and controlling the scoreboard.
Dimitrov extended the set with a volley winner in game nine, and Djokovic served for it at 5-4. The Serb created a set point with a service winner and missed it with a loose forehand. Novak converted the second set point after Grigor’s backhand error, taking the opener 6-4 after 51 minutes and gaining a boost.
Dimitrov held at love at the beginning of the second set before Djokovic responded with a hold at 15 for 1-1. They stayed neck and neck in the next couple of games, and Novak landed a booming serve in the fourth for 2-2. In the pivotal game, Dimitrov squandered two game points and placed a backhand long to experience a break and fall 3-2 behind.
Djokovic clinched the sixth game in style, firing an ace and moving closer to the finish line. Novak landed a deep return in the seventh game, creating another break point. The Bulgarian denied it with a strong attack and held, remaining within one break deficit.
The Serb hit another unreturned serve in the eighth game, moving 5-3 up and forcing his rival to serve to stay in the match. Djokovic placed a backhand return winner for a match point and drew Dimitrov’s backhand error to celebrate his 40th Masters 1000 crown at 36.
We love you @GrigorDimitrov ❤️😢#RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/RXl30oVzQc — Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 5, 2023
