Paris, November 6 (BUS): Novak Djokovic will finish the year in first place for a record seventh time after rallying to beat Hubert Hurkacz 3-6 6-0 7-6 (5) in the Paris Masters semi-finals on Saturday.
Djokovic, still on track for his sixth Paris Masters title, is one ahead of American Pete Sampras, who secured his best six finals at the end of the year from 1993 to 1998.
Djokovic also finished top of the year in 2011-12, 2014-15, 2018 and 2020.
Djokovic topped Roger Federer’s all-time mark of 310 weeks at number one on March 8, and will end 2021 having finished first in the standings for 348 weeks.
Another win on Sunday would give Djokovic a record 37th Masters title, one clear of fellow 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.
The top-ranked Serbian also reached his seventh final with a record extension here, facing Russia’s Daniil Medvedev after losing to him in straight sets in the US Open final two months ago. Djokovic has not played since.
insult