Novak Djokovic will not take part in the ATP Finals this month after a surprise second-round defeat at the Paris Masters on 4 November.
The 39-year-old Serb lost 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Rinky Hijikata, an Australian qualifier ranked 83rd in the world, according to a report by The Straits Times carrying AFP coverage. The result ended his chances of qualifying for the season-ending event.
Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles and has lifted the Paris trophy seven times, took control early and claimed the opening set comfortably. Hijikata then turned the contest around in the second, breaking the Serb's serve in the eighth game and holding to level the match.
The deciding set stayed close until 3-3, when Djokovic dropped serve. Hijikata made the most of the opening and added a second break to finish the match.
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone afterwards, Djokovic said he was disappointed to lose a match in which he believed he had been the dominant player during the first set. He said that he planned to spend the coming weeks resting, and that he was looking forward to the break.
The Serb was generous in his assessment of his opponent, noting that his own serve had dipped while Hijikata stayed focused, kept the ball low and made very few errors.
"He was just playing out of his mind honestly," Djokovic said, describing the Australian's display as terrific.