Novak Djokovic did not look for excuses after his 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 defeat to qualifier Rinky Hijikata in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters on Wednesday. “I should have won this match, I know,” the seven-time Paris champion said. “I played well the first set and then completely lost the control of the match.”

The defeat ends the Serbian’s hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin. Djokovic, 39 and ranked 11th, had needed 2 hours 29 minutes to beat Valentin Vacherot on Tuesday. Hijikata, ranked 83rd, had lost both of their previous meetings in straight sets.

“He was just playing out of his mind”

Djokovic took the first set 6-2 before the Australian turned the match around. “Disappointment, obviously, losing a match that I felt like I was dominating for the first set and a few games,” he said. “But then he was switched on. I wasn’t serving as well, and then he was just playing out of his mind, honestly. He was not missing, keeping the ball low. Just a terrific performance.”

“Unfortunate not to use the opportunities in the third, but I think he was a deserved winner,” he added. “Nobody loves losing, but it’s just another match.”

“He was really effective from every corner. It’s the quickest surface we have on the tour this year,” Djokovic added. “For players like him, who play quite flat and close to the line, it suits him very well. So congrats to him. He played really amazing tennis, and it was my fault to let the control of the match go.”

“Not the freshest”, and now “just rest”

Djokovic took a medical time-out for a shoulder problem against Vacherot. Asked about his back on Wednesday, he refused to use his physical condition as an explanation. “Not the freshest, but it’s not an excuse for the loss today,” he said.

Asked about the coming weeks, he kept it short: “Just rest. I’m looking forward to it.” Holidays? “Yeah.” Hijikata will face Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who beat eighth seed Alex de Minaur, in the round of 16.