The key facts

  • Zverev, who became world No. 1 for the first time this month, lost to Musetti 6-7 (5), 2-6 in his opening match
  • Djokovic lost to world No. 83 Hijikata and, in his words, plans “just rest” — his season is effectively over
  • Quentin Halys's win over Tiafoe guaranteed Arthur Fils his debut at the ATP Finals in Turin (November 15–22)

Top seeds are leaving the tournament one after another

Wednesday at the Paris Masters turned into a series of upsets. World No. 1 Alexander Zverev, who reached the top of the ATP rankings for the first time in his career only this month after winning the French Open and the US Open, lost his opening match to world No. 24, Italy's Lorenzo Musetti — 6-7 (5), 2-6. The German led in the first-set tiebreak but made five consecutive errors and then lost six of eight games. “Honestly, I was a bit annoyed. It seems I'm the only world No. 1 in tennis history who has to explain why it's fine for me to be world No. 1. I believe I deserve my place, even despite today's loss,” Zverev told reporters. Musetti, a former world No. 5, called the match “the best and toughest challenge this sport can give me.”

Djokovic: the season is effectively over

24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who was chasing an eighth Paris title and a spot at the ATP Finals, lost 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to world No. 83, Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata. The 39-year-old Serb took the first set confidently, but in the second he dropped serve in the eighth game, and in the third he lost his serve in two consecutive games. The defeat effectively ended Djokovic's season: he told reporters that his plan for the coming weeks is “just rest.” Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev also joined the list of favorites eliminated, losing in two sets to Peru's Ignacio Buse, while seventh seed Frances Tiafoe fell to France's Quentin Halys 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (11/9).

Alcaraz escaped the favorites' fate

Second seed Carlos Alcaraz was the main top player who did not succumb to the general trend, beating world No. 35, American Alex Michelsen, 7-6 (4), 6-3. In the first-set tiebreak Michelsen led 4-1, but Alcaraz won six points in a row, and in the second set he made the key break in the eighth game. “A very tough day for the top players, but I just try not to think about it, go out on court, play my best tennis and enjoy it,” said the Spaniard, who avoided a repeat of his own first-round loss in Paris last year. Matteo Berrettini awaits him in the third round. Halys's win over Tiafoe brought the home crowd extra joy: it guaranteed 22-year-old Arthur Fils, world No. 7, his debut at the ATP Finals in Turin, which will take place November 15–22. In the evening, Fils will play Tomas Machac.