Novak Djokovic, the top-ranked player in the world, claimed a fiercely contested win over Denmark’s Holger Rune with a scoreline of seven games to five in the first set, a tiebreak decision in the second set at seven points to three, and a decisive six games to four in the final frame. The victory propelled Djokovic into the semi finals of the Paris Masters, the season finale that doubles as a battleground for the year’s best. For Djokovic, this encounter was more than a matchup; it was a personal statement against a rising generation, and a chance to avenge the final defeat he endured against Rune the previous season.
Since capturing his fifteenth Grand Slam title at the US Open, Djokovic has carried a heightened intensity into the French capital. Rune, champion in his own right, is still young but already making mature moves on big stages. He has repeatedly tested the appetite of a new wave of players, including Carlos Alcaraz, as he seeks to ascend beyond the early-career triumphs that marked his rise.
In the semi final picture, Djokovic led the charge toward the final Sunday by navigating a tense opening exchanges where both players sought to dictate with rhythm and depth. Rune found a breakthrough opportunity in the opening set as he pressured Djokovic’s serve, shifting the momentum and taking the set at a close margin. The momentum then swung again as Rune survived a looming match point in the second set, pushing the contest to a deciding frame with a dramatic tiebreak. The elder champion steadied his approach, and after a critical review that briefly interrupted play, his focus returned and he regained control when it mattered most.
By the third set, the toll of a long season began to show for Rune. He started the frame imperfectly, and Djokovic capitalized with clean, aggressive tennis and a strategic edge that kept Rune on the back foot. An early break set the tone, and Djokovic used it to steer the match toward a confident finish, aided by guidance from seasoned figures on the sideline who helped shape the plan and sharpen the execution on key points.
In the immediate reaction, Rune publicly acknowledged Djokovic’s performance, praising the veteran’s consistency and resilience. The 36-year-old champion, still chasing more titles, confirmed that his aim is to keep the pressure on the tour’s fresh faces as the season culminates. The victory also had implications for the wider field in Paris, as another notable result affected the allocation of places in the forthcoming ATP Finals, with top contenders continuing to contest the event’s late-stage drama. Tsitsipas later learned his fate, preparing to meet a strong Bulgarian rival in a potential semi final, while Dimitrov waited for the day’s other outcomes to crystallize the last of the semi final lineups. The atmosphere around the arena reflected a sport that rewards endurance and tactical clarity, with Djokovic once again demonstrating why he remains a benchmark for excellence at the world’s most demanding stages.