No. 83 Australian upsets Novak Djokovic at Paris Masters

World No. 83 Rinky Hijikata bagged one of his most notable ATP wins of the 2026 tournament calendar after pulling off an upset over Novak Djokovic, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, in the Round of 32 of the Paris Masters on Nov. 4, 2026, at Plénitude Arena in Nanterre, France.

After having his serve broken twice in a lopsided first-set loss to the Serbian legend, the 25-year-old Australian netter recalibrated, handing Djokovic a stunning comeback defeat to reach the ATP Masters 1000 Round of 16.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner dominated early, overwhelming Hijikata with a wide array of baseline attacks and converting two break points.

Djokovic also capitalized on Hijikata’s sloppy start as the Australian committed eight unforced errors in the first set alone.

However, a surprising turn of events took place in the next set after Hijikata gave Djokovic a dose of his own medicine by securing a crucial break.

In the eighth game, Hijikata snatched the momentum away from Djokovic after unleashing an aggressive forehand winner to complete the break and go up 5-3.

Djokovic attempted to salvage the set, but Hijikata held his serve to love in the ninth game to level the match at one set apiece.

An intense exchange of service holds marked the first half of the third set as neither player folded under pressure, but Hijikata moved a step ahead with a much-needed break that snapped the 3-all deadlock.

After that sequence, Hijikata never looked back and matched fire with fire as Djokovic attempted to step inside the baseline to generate more power from his groundstrokes.

However, that tactical shift proved futile as Hijikata won the final three games, capped by a forehand winner on Djokovic’s serve to officially eliminate the Serbian legend.

Hijikata wrapped up his impressive win with 91 total points won, including four aces, three converted break points and 35 return points.

“I’m disappointed,” Djokovic said after the loss.

“I lost a match I felt I was dominating in the first set, but then my serve deteriorated, and he played very well – he didn’t miss a thing. He was very effective on both sides of the court.”