Zverev, just made world No. 1, knocked out in his opening match at the Paris Masters 1000

Alexander Zverev lost 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to Lorenzo Musetti (24th) in his first match as world No. 1. According to TV5Monde, the 29-year-old led 5-2 in the first-set tiebreak before falling apart. In the second, he dropped his serve twice and made ten unforced errors, against two for his opponent. Musetti wrapped up the match in 1 hr 40 min.

A No. 1 Who Has to Justify Himself

According to TV5Monde, Zverev won Roland-Garros and then the US Open without facing Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz, who were injured for much of the year. Asked about his legitimacy, he said he felt he was the only No. 1 in history forced to explain himself. He believes he deserves his place despite this defeat. He also said no one had ever had to justify themselves this much.

He called his match one of his worst in recent months. Next up is the year-end Masters in Turin, from November 15 to 22.

Djokovic Upset by a Qualifier

Also according to TV5Monde, 39-year-old Novak Djokovic was beaten 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 by qualifier Rinky Hijikata (83rd). He had hoped to reach at least the semifinals to secure a place in the top eight in the Race. After his defeat, he mostly talked about rest: "Rest, I can't wait."

Alcaraz, the Remaining Favorite

According to Noticel and El Nuevo Diario, Daniil Medvedev is also out, which makes Alcaraz the clear favorite. Ranked third, he beat Alex Michelsen (35th) 7-6 (4), 6-3 in 1 hr 42 min for his sixth straight win. Michelsen led 4-1 in the first-set tiebreak, but Alcaraz won seven points in a row.

He reaches the round of 16 in Paris for the fourth time. There he faces Matteo Berrettini, who beat 2024 finalist Ugo Humbert 7-6 (3), 7-5. Alcaraz has won three of their four meetings, the last of them at Wimbledon in 2023.

He arrives in Paris after his fourth title of the year, in Vienna, and after four months out with a wrist injury.

Musetti, for his part, plays Luca Van Assche (47th) in the round of 16 on Thursday.