Novak Djokovic has failed to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals for only the second time in 20 seasons after a shock 2-6 6-3 6-3 defeat by Rinky Hijikata in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters. The 39-year-old, a seven-time champion in Paris, needed a run to the semi-finals to keep his hopes alive, but his exit leaves the door open for the remaining contenders, including Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul. Djokovic also missed the 2017 edition due to an elbow injury.
Djokovic falls to world No 83
Djokovic started well against the 25-year-old Australian, who is ranked world No 83, but faded badly after the opening set. Hijikata said after the match: “It took a lot. I was getting outplayed in the first set and had to hang tough.”
“In the end I was glad I maintained my level and trusted myself in the big moments. I felt I had to take it to him and play aggressive.”
Analyst Ryan Harrison said: “Novak didn’t really play poorly at all. This was Hijikata absolutely firing on all cylinders.
“After that opening set, Novak was controlling most of the match, particularly behind his serve, but Rinky produced an unbelievable effort off the forehand side that was blistering. Just three forehand winners in the first set but he then poured them on for sets two and three.”
Race to Turin: two spots remaining
Six players have already qualified: Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli and Arthur Fils. Two places remain, and the chasing group currently stands as follows:
7. Frances Tiafoe, 3,390 points (lost in round 32)
8. Jodar, 3,234 points (lost in round 32)
9. Alex de Minaur, 3,170 points (lost in round 32)
10. Novak Djokovic, 2,940 points (lost in round 32)
11. Taylor Fritz, 2,900 points
12. Tommy Paul, 2,825 points
Zverev exits on debut as world No 1
Alexander Zverev became the first male player in tennis history to lose in straight sets on his debut match as world No 1. The 29-year-old German, who won the French and US Opens this year, was elevated to the top spot in the ATP rankings for the first time on Monday.
He blew a 5-2 lead in a first-set tiebreak on his way to a surprise 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 defeat by Lorenzo Musetti of Italy. It followed a loss to Alex de Minaur in the Vienna Open semi-finals days earlier.
Speaking at his press conference, Zverev 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.
“I was a bit annoyed the last couple of days because achieving the world No 1 status is something that every player dreams of. But then I feel like I’m the only world No 1 in history who has to explain why it’s normal for me to be No 1, which I find quite difficult because I deserve to be where I am, even though I lost today.
“I don’t think anyone has had to explain themselves as much as I have in the last couple of days, which is annoying.”
Musetti seizes control
Musetti, a former world No 5, won six of the final seven points of the opening-set tiebreak before taking command of the second set. The 24-year-old broke Zverev for a 2-1 lead and struck again to move 5-2 ahead on his way to victory.
“It’s pretty shocking the level I was able to play in front of (Zverev), who was serving really well, especially in the first set,” Musetti said in his on-court interview.
“It was really close. It could have gone both ways. The key was to stay there at 5-2. I played five great points in a row.”
The win marks a resurgence for Musetti, who has been hampered by injuries throughout the 2026 season. His toughest setback came at the Australian Open, where he retired while leading 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic by two sets in their quarter-final.
Alcaraz advances, Humbert knocked out
Carlos Alcaraz opened his bid for a first Paris title with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 win over Alex Michelsen. The Spanish second seed will face Matteo Berrettini next, after the Italian beat home hope and 2024 finalist Ugo Humbert 7-6 (7-3) 7-5.
Tiafoe wastes match points, Medvedev out
Frances Tiafoe wasted four match points in a 6-3 1-6 7-6 (11-9) loss to Frenchman Quentin Halys. That result sent Arthur Fils through to the ATP Finals, making him the first Frenchman to reach the event since Gael Monfils in 2016.
Fourth seed Daniil Medvedev also exited, losing 6-4 6-4 to Ignacio Buse.