Novak Djokovic’s ATP Finals chances handed huge blow as the Paris Masters draw is revealed

Novak Djokovic suffered a shock early exit from the Basel Open this week, and in the process suffered a huge blow to his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals.

The only consolation was that Rafael Jodar, his biggest competitor for that final spot, also lost. The fight was still on.

However, that still hinged massively on the 39-year-old putting together a strong run of form through two consecutive events, one of which he had not played at in 15 years.

Now, Novak Djokovic needs to achieve something exceptional in the French capital to even stand a chance.

Unfortunately for him, luck has once again not been on his side.

Novak Djokovic’s nightmare Paris Masters draw

As if things could get no harder for Djokovic, he will be forced to kickstart his campaign in Paris against the dangerously in-form Valentin Vacherot.

Last year’s Shanghai Masters champion is coming off the back of a semi-final run in Japan, and will play Taylor Fritz tomorrow for a spot in the Basel Open final.

Clearly, on indoor courts, the Monegasque player is a threat.

If Djokovic can bypass Vacherot, he will be afforded some reprieve in the second round, facing either Luciano Darderi or a qualifier.

However, this is when the gauntlet really starts.

One of Alex de Minaur or Andrey Rublev should await in the third round, before Alexander Zverev, the top seed and newly-crowned world number one, stands out in his quarter.

To beat the German would take an almighty feat, though he did manage it just a few weeks ago.

Sadly, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe or Tommy Paul all could be his semi-final opponents.

Finalists could range from Carlos Alcaraz to Daniil Medvedev, or even Arthur Fils. It is a truly nightmarish run.

How can Novak Djokovic qualify for the ATP Finals now?

With his performances in Basel, Medvedev has already secured his spot at the ATP Finals.

That leaves just four remaining.

The bare minimum Djokovic needs to stay in contention is a semi-final, but that only works if rivals like De Minaur and Fritz gain no more points this week and lose their Paris openers.

Winning would take the 39-year-old to 3,890 and past Jodar, which should secure his place.

However, if De Minaur wins Vienna this week and then reaches the Paris final, he’d reach 3,930 and narrowly edge out even a title-winning Djokovic.

His only last-minute course of action would then be to enter the ATP 250 event in Stockholm.