Djokovic and Zverev eliminated from Paris Masters
Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the Rolex Paris Masters on Wednesday after losing to Rinky Hijikata 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. The Australian qualifier, ranked World No. 83, secured his fourth career win over a Top-20 player this season.
With the loss, Djokovic, a seven-time champion in Paris, failed to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals. According to Sky Sports, this is only the second time in 20 seasons that the 39-year-old has failed to qualify for the event, the first being in 2017 due to an elbow injury. Djokovic stated, “Disappointment, obviously, losing a match that I felt like I was dominating for a set and a few games. [...] I played well in the first set and then completely lost control.”
In a separate second-round match, world No. 1 Alexander Zverev was defeated by Italy's Lorenzo Musetti 7-6 (7-5) 6-2. According to Sky Sports, Zverev became the first male player in tennis history to lose in straight sets during his debut match as world No. 1. Zverev, who won the French and US Opens this year, said, “To put it simply, he played really well and I played really badly. It was perhaps one of my worst matches in the last few months.”
Other notable results from the tournament include:
- Quentin Halys defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (11-9) after Tiafoe wasted four match points.
- Ignacio Buse defeated fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4.
- Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alex Michelsen 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.
