Djokovic seals tennis world No.1 for record seventh year

History has been made as Novak Djokovic clinched the year-end world number one spot for a record seventh time. He is also one victory away from a record 37th Masters title.

Gunning for a sixth title in Paris, Djokovic will face his US Open final conqueror Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s showdown.

Medvedev beat German Alexander Zverev in straight sets 6-2 6-2.

Djokovic, who needs to win the Paris final to avoid failing to claim a Masters title in a season for the first time since 2017, dropped serve in the eighth game and Hurkacz followed up on serve to seal the opening set.

It spurred Djokovic into action and the world number one allowed his opponent only 11 points in the second set.

Hurkacz regained his composure in the decider, but Djokovic was a notch above and he broke for 3-1 with a forehand winner at the end of a long rally.

He followed with a service game to love but Hurkacz fought back to break back for 3-4 as he hammered a forehand winner down the line.

Djokovic wasted a match point at 5-4 and the tie went into a decider, which Hurkacz dominated until he buried a routine forehand into the net to put Djokovic 6-5 up with another match point.

The Pole sliced a backhand wide, allowing Djokovic to move within one victory of a record 37th Masters title.

Both he and Rafael Nadal are tied with 36 titles each.