Paris, Nov 5 (IANS) Russia’s Karen Khachanov upset world No. 2 Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-4 to earn his maiden Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour Masters 1000 title and ending the Serbian star’s 22-match winning streak.
The 22-year-old Khachanov needed one hour and 37 minutes on Sunday evening to defeat Djokovic for the first time, preventing the Serbian from equalling the record Spaniard Rafael Nadal set — 33 Masters titles.
Although he was broken early and Djokovic took a 3-1 lead in the first set, Khachanov managed to break the Serbian’s serve and get back in the match, reports Efe news.
A break in the 11th game was all Khachanov needed to take the lead for good as he held his next serve to move a step closer to the title.
Khachanov’s momentum continued in the second set, and the Russian took a 3-1 lead and never looked back.
With the win, Khachanov will end the season ranked 11th in the world, his best finish to a season yet.
This was Djokovic’s first defeat since he fell to Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Rogers Cup round of 16 and just his 11th loss in a season that saw him regain top form after an elbow injury marred his past few seasons.
–IANS
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