Djokovic faces ATP Finals battle after loss in Basel

Novak Djokovic’s bid to reach the season-ending ATP Finals took a hit in Basel after he lost to Jan-Lennard Struff at the Swiss Indoors on Thursday. The 39-year-old fell 6-7(4) 7-5 7-6(5) in the second round, his first defeat by Struff in nine meetings. Struff advanced thanks to his 27th ace and said he had to play his best tennis. The loss leaves Djokovic 11th in the qualification race, trailing ninth-placed Rafael Jodar by 319 points, with Jannik Sinner sidelined in Turin due to injury. Djokovic can still make up ground at next week’s Paris Masters (Nov 2–8), and he already has a record seven ATP Finals titles. Djokovic also returned to Basel for the first time in 15 years.