WORLD number one Novak Djokovic avenged his U.S. Open final loss to Daniil Medvedev by winning a record-extending sixth title in Paris and a record 37th Masters title Sunday, fighting back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Medvedev dashed Djokovic’s dreams of a Grand Slam sweep in the U.S. Open final in September. The Masters title secured Djokovic’s second record in as many days after he was confirmed as season-ending world number one for a seventh time. The 20-time Grand Slam winner said he approached the final in a relaxed frame of mind after wrapping up the world number one landmark. Djokovic had not been too concerned when he went a set down against a man he considers “the complete player” and who he expects to be world number one in the future. “It was a very close match decided by small margins based on a few points here and there,” he said. “I was very pleased how I held my nerves at the end and took the match point. “I wanted to finish the end of season with a trophy and did not want to lock myself mentally and physically in stressful mode. “I knew things would come together and I would work my way into the match.” Djokovic said he had felt no hangover from the U.S. Open defeat. “I mean, I already closed that chapter,” he said. “I am not regretting it or spending days suffering because I did not take the calendar Slam this year. “I have moved on from that and focused on Masters event and came here and achieved what I wanted to do.” Medvedev said Djokovic — who he calls his “friend” — was stronger on the crucial points. “I don’t like losing, so I cannot say I am happy, I don’t even like losing at Play Station!” said Medvedev at his press conference. “But I gave everything and maybe I could have done a winner here or there or served one or two more aces. “When you lose a match you always have the feelings that you can do a bit better.” In an entertaining contest, befitting a duel between the top two in the world, Djokovic again had to come back from a set down after needing three sets to beat Hubert Hurkacz in the semifinals. It was only the second time the top two in the ATP rankings had clashed in the Paris final. (SD-Agencies) | 