Key points

• World No. 1 Alexander Zverev lost his first match as top seed, beaten 7-6(5), 6-2 by Lorenzo Musetti at the Paris Masters.
• Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic lost 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to qualifier Rinky Hijikata, ending his ATP Finals hopes.
• Daniil Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur also lost on a day of upsets in Paris.
• Carlos Alcaraz survived, beating Alex Michelsen 7-6(4), 6-3 to reach the last 16, where he faces Matteo Berrettini.
• Alcaraz is now the clear favourite for the last Masters 1000 title of the season.

The Paris Masters produced one of the most chaotic days of the tennis season on Wednesday, as world No. 1 Alexander Zverev and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic both crashed out in the second round. Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, was the only favourite to survive, beating Alex Michelsen 7-6(4), 6-3 to reach the last 16.

It was, in the words of one report from Paris, a "difficult day for top guys" — and it has blown the draw of the final Masters 1000 event of the season wide open.

Zverev's first match as No. 1 ends in defeat

Zverev arrived in Paris as the new world No. 1, having broken his major duck in 2026 by winning the French Open and the US Open, which propelled him to the top of the ATP rankings for the first time in his career this month. His reign began with a 7-6(5), 6-2 defeat to Lorenzo Musetti, the 24th-ranked Italian, who eased into the third round.

Zverev had been in a dominant position in the first-set tie-break, but he lost five consecutive points and then six of the following eight games to crash out at the first hurdle. Afterwards, he said he was "annoyed" at having to justify being world No. 1, a remark that captured the frustration of a player whose first match at the top ended in a straight-sets loss.

It was a bad loss by any measure. Musetti played superbly, but for the new No. 1 to lose his opening match at a Masters event is a reminder of how thin the margins are at the top of the men's game.

Djokovic's season ends in Paris

Djokovic's defeat was, if anything, more significant. The seven-time Paris Masters champion lost 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Rinky Hijikata, the world No. 83 from Australia, who came through qualifying. Djokovic looked in control after taking the first set, but he lost three straight games from 3-3 in the second set and never recovered.

The loss ended Djokovic's hopes of winning an eighth Paris title and of qualifying for the ATP Finals. It effectively brought an end to his season, with the veteran telling reporters his plan for the coming weeks was "just rest".

Hijikata, the 2023 Australian Open doubles champion, will play Tomas Martin Etcheverry for a place in the quarter-finals, after the Argentine beat eighth seed Alex de Minaur 7-6(2), 6-3. It is the biggest singles win of Hijikata's career by some distance.

Alcaraz stands alone among the favourites

Alcaraz was the exception on a day when the seeds fell. The seven-time major winner beat 35th-ranked American Michelsen 7-6(4), 6-3 in the night session, extending his winning streak to six matches. He got a crucial break in the eighth game of the second set and served out to move into the last 16, where he will face Matteo Berrettini.

The 23-year-old is now the clear favourite for the title, with Zverev and Djokovic out of the draw. Former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev joined the exit list, beaten in straight sets by Peru's Ignacio Buse, and seventh seed Frances Tiafoe lost his opening match 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(11/9) to Quentin Halys.

Thursday's schedule keeps the action coming, with third seed Ben Shelton facing home favourite Arthur Rinderknech for a place in the last eight before Alcaraz returns in the night session against Berrettini.

What it means for the ATP Finals race

With Djokovic out, the ATP Finals field is now effectively settled, and the Paris Masters has become a race for the season's last big title rather than for qualification. Alcaraz, who has already secured his place, will see this as a chance to end the season with a statement win.

For Zverev, the defeat is a setback but not a disaster. He will end the year as world No. 1 regardless, and his two Grand Slam titles in 2026 have already made this the best season of his career. The question now is whether he can carry that form into 2027. For the rules behind the sport, see our tennis scoring explained guide, and for Djokovic's previous Paris win read our report on Djokovic becoming the oldest Paris Masters winner.

FAQ

Who beat Alexander Zverev at the Paris Masters?

Lorenzo Musetti, ranked 24th in the world, beat Zverev 7-6(5), 6-2 in the second round. It was Zverev's first match since becoming world No. 1.

Who beat Novak Djokovic in Paris?

Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata, ranked 83rd, beat Djokovic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. The defeat ended Djokovic's hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals.

Who is the favourite to win the Paris Masters now?

Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, is the clear favourite after surviving his second-round match against Alex Michelsen. He faces Matteo Berrettini in the last 16.

Which other seeds lost at the Paris Masters on Wednesday?

Daniil Medvedev lost in straight sets to Ignacio Buse, Frances Tiafoe lost to Quentin Halys, and Alex de Minaur lost to Tomas Martin Etcheverry.