Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz noticed his hopes of ending the 12 months because the world primary broken by a shock opening loss to Roman Safiullin within the Paris Masters.
World quantity two Alcaraz, who acquired a bye within the first spherical, misplaced 6-3 6-4 to Forty fifth-ranked Safiullin.
The Russian qualifier performed beautifully all through and Alcaraz had few solutions in a below-par efficiency.
It leaves Alcaraz with a tricky job to overtake Novak Djokovic on the high of the rankings earlier than the season ends.
Alcaraz, who gained Wimbledon in July for the second Grand Slam title of his profession, pulled out of Basel final week with damage.
Taking part in for the primary time since shedding within the Shanghai final 16 on 11 October, the 20-year-old moved a break up in every set.
However Safiullin recovered impressively – returning properly to place Alcaraz’s second serve below stress and likewise sharp when he got here ahead from the baseline – to earn the largest win of his profession by rating.
“In opposition to Carlos, you must carry up the extent and I managed to do that,” stated 26-year-old Safiullin, who goes on to play fellow Russian Karen Khachanov within the final 16.
“From Carlos, it was not the very best efficiency however I am completely satisfied to win – even when he isn’t in the very best form, it’s nonetheless powerful to win. I am glad I did it.
“Every part – tactical, bodily, the psychological half – is essential in opposition to him. To remain targeted from starting to the top is essential.”
Djokovic returns to motion
Earlier on Tuesday, Djokovic marked his return to match motion with a straight-set victory alongside fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic within the doubles.
The 36-year-old world primary, who has not performed an ATP event since profitable the US Open on 10 September, teamed up with Kecmanovic to win 6-4 6-2 in opposition to Ecuador’s Gonzalo Escobar and Kazakhstan’s Aleksandr Nedovyesov.
Djokovic begins his bid for a record-extending seventh title within the singles when he performs Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Wednesday.
American ninth seed Taylor Fritz withdrew earlier than his second-round match with an belly damage, damaging his hopes of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals subsequent month.
“Devastated to have to tug out with a lot on the road,” Fritz stated.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, who’re each nonetheless hoping to qualify for the Turin occasion, earned first-round wins in Paris on Tuesday.
Zverev, seeded tenth, recovered from a set all the way down to beat Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 4-6 7-5 6-4, whereas eleventh seed Hurkacz gained 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 win in opposition to American Sebastian Korda.
Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev was among the many different winners after a 6-4 6-3 victory over Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka within the night time session.