Qualifier Hijikata Stuns Djokovic in Paris and Ends His ATP Finals Hopes

Novak Djokovic's hopes of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals are over after a stunning second-round defeat to Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata at the Paris Masters on Wednesday. The 24-time Grand Slam champion looked in control after taking the opening set 6-2, but the world No. 83 refused to fade. Hijikata turned the match around in the second set, winning three straight games from 3-3 to level the contest, then held his nerve in the decider to complete a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory. It was a result few saw coming: Djokovic, the tournament's record seven-time champion, had arrived in Paris needing a deep run to keep his Turin hopes alive. Instead, he became the latest big name to fall on a day of upsets in the French capital. For Hijikata, the win ranks among the finest of his career and sends him into the third round with enormous confidence. For Djokovic, the defeat closes the door on the ATP Finals and leaves questions about how much more of the season he intends to play. Paris has delivered shocks before, but few as complete as a qualifier ending a champion's campaign in three sets.