MATCH REPORT | 2023 Paris Masters: Novak DJOKOVIC downs Grigor DIMITROV in the final for seventh title at Paris-Bercy

Novak Djokovic defeated Grigor Dimitrov in the 2023 Paris Masters final to win his seventh title at the tournament 6-4, 6-3.

The World No. 1 proved his dominance once again by winning the final ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year in straight sets against World No. 17 Dimitrov.

Both players had put on resilient displays throughout the event. Djokovic overcame three-set battles against the likes of Holger Rune and Andrey Rublev while Dimitrov did the same against Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

This was the 36-year-old's first tournament since the US Open, where he equaled Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles with his victory. However, at the beginning of the final in Paris, he looked to be struggling with an eye-related issue.

Although this caused Djokovic to miss some important points at the start, he was able to avoid much danger and soon re-found his level. While Dimitrov held firm for a while, Djokovic is not known for missing a chance to get ahead and he successfully converted a break point in Dimitrov's fourth service game.

Dimitrov's next service game then went to a deuce, but he was able to hold and Djokovic had to serve for the set. Despite his opponent's efforts to break back, even taking the game to a deuce, Djokovic pushed ahead once more and secured the opener. This led to several boos from the crowd, which Djokovic only encouraged, using it as fuel to spur him on.

Dimitrov's level appeared to drop in the second set, with a double fault contributing to a break point for Djokovic at 2-1, which the tennis star converted once again.

Djokovic went on to win his next service game with a W-0 hold and his consistency eventually led to an angry outburst from Dimitrov. This seemed to help the latter fight back harder against his opponent, but it was too late to change the outcome as Djokovic achieved championship point in Dimitrov's service game at 5-3.

The Bulgarian player was unable to bring it back and an error ultimately gave Djokovic his seventh Paris Masters title and his 40th career Masters 1000 title.