Paris: Djokovic keeps year-end No. 1 quest alive with win over Edmund

World No. 75 Kyle Edmund did his very best to upset world No. 1 Novak Djokovic on Thursday, but the top-seeded Serb wasn’t having it, ousting the Brit, 7-6 (7), 6-1, to book a spot in the Rolex Paris Masters quarterfinals and keep his quest for year-end No. 1 alive.

“I understand that I need to play better and feel better to have a chance to go far in this tournament and, as a result of that, to have a chance to still be in the battle for No. 1,” Djokovic said. “But, again, it doesn't depend only on me. It depends on [Nadal]. But my focus is on me.”

Djokovic will next face Stefanos Tsitsipas, who ousted Alex de Minaur earlier on Thursday. Surprisingly (or not), the 21-year-old Greek is 2-1 against the 16-time Grand Slam champion. Both his wins over the Serb have come on hard courts, the last victory in the Shanghai quarterfinals just three weeks ago.

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Also on the line for Djokovic is the year-end No. 1. He currently trails his long-time rival Rafael Nadal by 1,280 points. The 32-year-old Spaniard takes the court later on Thursday against Stan Wawrinka. Nadal leads Wawrinka 18-3, winning their last five encounters.

“I'm very happy to be able to compete again at a good level,” Nadal said. “Tomorrow is another day, another tough match against Stan. Every day in this tournament is so difficult, so let’s see if I’m able to play another good match.”