Djokovic stunned by return to top spot
PARIS: Novak Djokovic described his return to the world No 1 ranking as “a phenomenal achievement” on Thursday as he recorded yet another personal landmark in reaching the Paris Masters quarter-finals.
Djokovic will replace Rafael Nadal as the world’s top player on Monday after a two-year absence.
The 31-year-old’s elevation is remarkable as it comes just five months after he slumped to 22 in the world — his lowest ranking for 12 years — when he was knocked out of the French Open in the quarter-finals.
“Reflecting on what I’ve been through in the last year, it’s quite a phenomenal achievement,” said Djokovic after making the quarter-finals in Paris when Bosnian opponent Damir Dzumhur retired trailing 6-1, 2-1.
“I’m very, very happy and proud about it.”
SERENA CAN STILL GRAB SLAMS RECORD: KEYS
ZHUHAI: American No 3 Madison Keys said she has no doubt Serena Williams can equal the record of 24 Grand Slam titles despite her stormy defeat in the US Open final.
Williams, 37, returned from giving birth to her first child in September last year to reach the Wimbledon and US Open finals, but suffered upset losses in both to leave her stuck on 23 major victories.
“I definitely think she can do it, and I definitely think it’s something that she thinks about,” Keys told AFP at the WTA Elite Trophy at Zhuhai in China.
“I think she wants it and I think when Serena puts her mind to something, it usually happens.”
“She came back and she played three Grand Slams and made two finals,” the world number 16 said.
“No one is ever going to be Serena and I think she’s done a ton for the sport and has helped players like me a lot,” she added.
RAMKUMAR-SAKETH IN SEMI-FINALS
NEW DELHI: Ramkumar Ramanathan and Saketh Myneni on Thursday entered the men’s doubles semi-finals of the Shenzhen International Challenger with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over local combine Rigele Te and Di Wu.
Indo-thai pair Arjun Kadhe and Sanchai Ratiwatana also entered the last-4 stage with a 6-7(7), 7-5, 10-2 win over Chinese Taipei-thai combination of Hsien-yin Peng and Sonchat Ratiwatana.
In men’s singles, Sasi Kumar Mukund defeated Canadian eighth seed Filip Peliwo 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 to enter the quarterfinals.