No. 1 Zverev, Djokovic crash out of Paris Masters, Alcaraz advances
PARIS: Alexander Zverev said he was “annoyed” at having to justify being world number one as he lost his opening match at the Paris Masters, while 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic also fell on a Wednesday full of upsets.
Alexander Zverev expressed annoyance at being the world's top-ranked tennis player after losing his opening match at the Paris Masters. Meanwhile, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic also exited the tournament, falling to Rinky Hijikata, a world number 83. Carlos Alcaraz, a seven-time major winner, began his campaign with a victory over Alex Michelsen, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.
Zverev's reign as world number one didn't start well, as he lost to Lorenzo Musetti, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2. Djokovic's hopes of winning the Paris Masters for the eighth time and qualifying for the ATP Finals were dashed after a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 loss to Hijikata. Alcaraz avoided a similar fate, while Daniil Medvedev, another former world number one, was also eliminated in straight sets by Peru's Ignacio Buse.
Second seed Alcaraz's win provided a morale boost for the host country, as Arthur Fils, the French world number seven, qualified for the ATP Finals.
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- No 1 Zverev, Djokovic crash out of Paris Masters, Alcaraz advances freemalaysiatoday.com
- 'Annoyed' Zverev loses first match as world No. 1 in Paris nst.com.my
