Djokovic wins Basel opener to boost ATP Finals bid
BASEL: Novak Djokovic dug deep to overcome Ugo Humbert in three sets in his opening match in Basel on Wednesday, keeping his bid to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals on course.
Novak Djokovic secured a hard-fought victory over Ugo Humbert in Basel, advancing his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals. The 39-year-old champion dropped set one but rallied to emerge victorious in a tightly contested 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 match. Djokovic acknowledged the intense nature of the early stages, stating he "had to weather the storm" before finding his rhythm.
The win, coupled with his recent China Open triumph, strengthens his bid for a record 19th ATP Finals qualification. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, accepted a wild card for Basel after falling to 11th in the Race to Turin standings. Only the top eight players, as determined by the Race to Turin, qualify for the event, which takes place from November 15-22.
Djokovic, who has won the ATP Finals seven times, missed the past two editions due to injury. With a 8-0 head-to-head record against Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff, fourth-seeded Djokovic will face Struff in the next round.
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- Djokovic celebrates 'big win' on return to Basel bbc.co.uk
- Djokovic wins Basel opener to boost ATP Finals bid freemalaysiatoday.com
