Qualifier Hijikata ends Djokovic's Turin hopes with Paris comeback

Novak Djokovic's season is over. The seven-time champion at the Rolex Paris Masters lost 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata in the round of 32 on Wednesday, a defeat that ends his hopes of reaching the ATP Finals in Turin.

Hijikata, ranked No. 83 in the world, had come through qualifying just to reach the main draw. Against the tenth seed he looked outclassed for one set, then turned the match around so completely that Djokovic conceded afterwards that he had no answer.

One set of control, then a collapse

The 39-year-old Serb took the opening set comfortably and appeared to be heading for a routine win. The momentum swung in the second set, when Hijikata broke in the eighth game and went on to force a decider. In the third, Djokovic's serve deserted him at the key moments and the 25-year-old Australian closed out a career-defining win.

"He played really amazing tennis and it was my fault to let the control of the match go," Djokovic said, according to AFP. He described Hijikata as "switched on" and said the Australian was "just playing out of his mind honestly", calling it "a terrific performance". Djokovic also admitted he was not serving as well as he needed to.

No Turin for only the second time when fit

Djokovic arrived in Paris 11th in the Race to Turin and needed at least a semi-final run to break into the top eight. According to AFP, it is only the second time in 20 seasons in which he was healthy that he will miss the season finale. Asked about his plans for the coming weeks, he answered: "just rest."

The result caps a season of near-misses at the biggest events. Djokovic reached the Australian Open final and the Wimbledon semi-finals, but did not get beyond the quarter-finals at any Masters 1000 tournament this year. His most recent Grand Slam title remains the 2023 US Open.

Earlier this week he had looked sharper, coming from behind to beat Basel champion Valentin Vacherot in his opening match. Against Hijikata, that resilience ran out after one set.

A day of upsets in Paris

Djokovic was far from the only big name to fall on a chaotic Wednesday. World No. 1 Alexander Zverev lost to Lorenzo Musetti, fourth seed Daniil Medvedev was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Ignacio Buse, seventh seed Frances Tiafoe went out to Quentin Halys, and eighth seed Alex de Minaur lost 7-6(2), 6-3 to Tomás Martín Etcheverry.

Berrettini withdraws with arm pain, Alcaraz into Paris quarter-finals

Second seed Carlos Alcaraz avoided the trend, beating Alex Michelsen 7-6(4), 6-3 in the night session. "It was a really difficult day for the top guys," the Spaniard said.

Djokovic's exit also affects the fight for the last places in Turin. According to AFP, Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul remain in contention for the final two spots, which are currently held by Tiafoe and Rafael Jódar.

Next up for Hijikata

Hijikata's reward is a round-of-16 meeting with Tomás Martín Etcheverry on Court 1 on Thursday, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. Both men have already knocked out a seed this week: Hijikata the seven-time champion, Etcheverry the in-form De Minaur.