Novak Djokovic is still alive in Paris.

The seven-time champion beat Valentin Vacherot 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-1 in the first round of the Paris Masters on Tuesday.

It was not easy. Vacherot won the Swiss Indoors in Basel on Sunday. He also beat Djokovic in the Shanghai semifinals last year.

The turning point

Vacherot took the first set in a tiebreak. Serving at 4-4 in the second, Djokovic had to save three break points to stay level.

He then broke Vacherot to take the set. He broke again at the start of the third and pulled away.

Djokovic closed it on his second match point with a backhand winner down the line.

Both players took medical timeouts in the second set. Djokovic got treatment on his right shoulder. Vacherot had his left ankle taped.

"Like ice"

Djokovic said Vacherot's big serve was a handful on the fast indoor court.

"His second serves are faster than my first serves," Djokovic said. "Last year was very slow, this year is like ice."

Chasing history and a Finals spot

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is going for his 103rd career title. That would tie Roger Federer for second in the Open era behind Jimmy Connors' 109.

He also wants a spot in the ATP Finals, which run Nov. 15-22. He sits 11th in the race with only Paris and a smaller event in Stockholm left.

Taylor Fritz, one spot behind him, also advanced Tuesday. Tommy Paul beat 2022 champion Holger Rune.