ATP Paris Masters: Novak Djokovic eradicated from ATP Finals race as world No 1 Alexander Zverev additionally suffers shock exit | Tennis Information

For simply the second time in 20 seasons, Novak Djokovic has did not qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals after a shock defeat within the second spherical of the Rolex Paris Masters.

The 39-year-old, who additionally did not make the 2017 version as a result of a elbow harm, wanted a run to the semi-finals to maintain himself in with an opportunity of clinching a spot on the season-ending showpiece in Turin.

Djokovic, a seven-time champion in Paris, began effectively towards 25-year-old Australian Rinky Hijikata, the world No 83, however light badly in a 2-6 6-3 6-3 defeat.

With two locations nonetheless out there for the season-ending championship, Djokovic wanted a run to the semi-finals in Paris to remain alive in his hopes, however his exit leaves the door open for the remaining contenders, together with Twelfth-placed Taylor Fritz and Thirteenth-placed Tommy Paul.

Hijikata instructed Sky Sports activities: “It took quite a bit. I used to be getting outplayed within the first set and needed to dangle powerful.

“In the long run I used to be glad I maintained my degree and trusted myself within the massive moments. I felt I needed to take it to him and play aggressive.”

Djokovic vs Hijikata: Story of the Tape

Analyst Ryan Harrison, chatting with Sky Sports activities’ Gigi Salmon, mentioned: “Novak did not actually play poorly in any respect. This was Hijikata completely firing on all cylinders.

“After that opening set, Novak was controlling most the match, notably behind his serve, however Rinky an unbelievable effort off the forehand facet that was blistering. Simply three forehand winners within the first set however he then poured them on for units two and three.”

‘I need to be the place I’m’ – Zverev suffers Musetti defeat

Alexander Zverev grew to become the primary male participant within the historical past of tennis to lose in straight units on his debut match as world No 1.

The 29-year-old German, who received the French and US Opens this 12 months, was elevated to prime spot within the ATP rankings for the primary time on Monday.

Nevertheless, he blew a 5-2 lead in a first-set tie-break on his approach to a shock 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 defeat by Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti on the Paris Masters.

Talking in his press convention, Zverev mentioned: “To place it merely, he performed rather well and I performed actually badly. It was maybe considered one of my worst matches in the previous few months.

“I used to be a bit aggravated the final couple of days as a result of reaching the world No 1 standing is one thing that each participant desires of. However then I really feel like I am the one world No 1 in historical past who has to clarify why it is regular for me to be No 1, which I discover fairly troublesome as a result of I need to be the place I’m, despite the fact that I misplaced right now.

“I do not suppose anybody has needed to clarify themselves as a lot as I’ve within the final couple of days, which is annoying.”

The 29-year-old, who climbed to No 1 on Monday, suffered a shock defeat days after dropping to Australia’s ​Alex de Minaur within the Vienna Open ‌semi-finals.

Musetti, a former world No 5, seized the initiative by profitable six of ​the ultimate seven factors of the opening-set tiebreak earlier than taking command of the second set.

The 24-year-old Italian broke Zverev for a ​2-1 lead and struck once more to maneuver ⁠5-2 forward on his approach to ⁠victory.

“It is fairly surprising the extent I used to be capable of play in entrance of (Zverev), who was serving rather well, particularly within the first set,” Musetti, 24, mentioned in his on-court interview.

“It was actually shut. It might have gone each methods. The important thing was to remain there at 5-2. I performed 5 nice factors in a row.”

The win continued a ⁠resurgence for Musetti, who has been hampered by ​accidents all through the 2026 season. His hardest ​setback got here on the Australian Open, the place he retired ​whereas main 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic by two ⁠units of their quarter-final conflict.

In different second-round shocks, Frances Tiafoe wasted 4 match factors in a 6-3 1-6 7-6 (11-9) loss to Frenchman Quentin Halys.

Tiafoe’s defeat meant Arthur Fils certified for the ATP Finals. He’s the primary Frenchman to achieve the occasion since Gael Monfils in 2016.

Fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev additionally went out after dropping 6-4 6-4 to Ignacio Buse.

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