Novak Djokovic sends warning to rivals as he dominates on imperious singles return

Ewan West
Novak Djokovic Paris Bercy
Novak Djokovic celebrates in Paris Bercy

A well-rested Novak Djokovic looked in imperious form in his first singles match for six weeks as he cruised past Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the 2023 Paris Masters.

The legendary Serbian dismantled world No 31 Etcheverry 6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the ATP Masters 1000 event, having received a first round bye as one of the top eight seeds.

The first set was fairly competitive and neither player faced a break point until the eighth game, when Djokovic converted his second opportunity of the game to break for a 5-3 lead. The 36-year-old then served out the set convincingly to take control of the contest in the French capital.

The world No 1 then broke again in the opening game of the second set to continue his surge, before saving the only break point he faced in the match to hold for 2-0.

Djokovic broke the 24-year-old Argentine’s serve again to take a 4-1 lead and closed out the victory with two comfortable holds of serve. It was his second win in as many matches against Etcheverry, having earned a 7-6(5), 6-2 triumph at the Italian Open in Rome in May this year.

The record six-time Paris Masters champion fired six aces, hit three double faults, won 82% of his first serve points and 58% of points behind his second delivery in a strong serving display.

The Serbian looked fresh and displayed no rust despite it being his first singles match since 15 September, when he downed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Davis Cup group stage.

That was his only singles match since he claimed a record-extending 24th Grand Slam title with victory against Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 US Open final on 10 September.

He made his return to competitive action in doubles on Tuesday in Paris, where he and Serbian compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic prevailed 6-4, 6-2 over Gonzalo Escobar and Aleksandr Nedovyesov in the opening round.

Djokovic will take on world No 23 Tallon Griekspoor in the third round of the singles event on Thursday. The 27-year-old Dutchman defeated Christopher Eubanks and Davidovich Fokina to progress a third meeting with Djokovic.

The world No 1 last won the Paris Masters in 2021, when he defeated Medvedev in the final. He was a runner-up last year, when he was edged by Holger Rune in a three-set battle.

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