PARIS (AFP) – Daniil Medvedev’s quest for his first ATP tournament victory of the year continues after the world number five suffered a defeat to Australia’s Alexei Popyrin at the Paris Masters on Wednesday. This marks the first time Medvedev has lost to Popyrin in their encounters, as he now holds a 3-1 record against the Australian.
Medvedev, who claimed the Paris title in 2020, has struggled to find his footing in this indoor tournament in recent years. The loss to Popyrin is particularly disappointing, as it marks the third consecutive year in which Medvedev has exited in the opening round of the tournament. This year, he had hoped to turn his fortunes around but was ultimately thwarted by Popyrin’s impressive performance.
Popyrin has been riding a wave of momentum this season, having won his first Masters tournament in Montreal in August and even managing to defeat Novak Djokovic at the US Open. In a thrilling second-round match, Popyrin edged out Medvedev with a score of 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), demonstrating his skill and resilience on the court.
For Popyrin, currently ranked 24th in the world, this victory over Medvedev represents only his third win against a player in the top five, a significant achievement for the young Australian. After the match, he expressed his delight, stating, “It is the first time I have beaten him in four meetings. We have had some tough battles in the past, and it is a real pleasure to have performed like this this time around.”
Medvedev’s journey in the tournament was marked by moments of tenacity. In the deciding set, he battled back from a 4-1 deficit to force a tiebreak. Even when trailing 4-1 in the tiebreak, Medvedev managed to level the score at 4-4, showcasing his fighting spirit. However, with Popyrin leading 5-4, Medvedev made a crucial double fault, giving the 25-year-old Australian two match points. Popyrin capitalized on the opportunity, sealing the match on his first attempt.
This early exit for Medvedev is not an isolated incident, as he is not the only high-profile seed to face an early defeat at the Paris Masters. His compatriot Andrey Rublev and Norway’s Casper Ruud have also been eliminated in their opening matches, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the tournament.
Following the match, Medvedev reflected on his performance, stating, “It was a tough match. I should have played better, but at the same time, I had my opportunities, and I did not take them. It was a very tight match.” Despite this setback, Medvedev remains a formidable player in the ATP circuit.
Amidst the upheaval in the tournament, Carlos Alcaraz continues to be a strong contender, having won his opening match on Tuesday. Alcaraz is favored to take the title, especially after the withdrawal of world number one Jannik Sinner due to an intestinal virus. In the next round, Alcaraz will face France’s Ugo Humbert, who advanced by defeating America’s Marcos Giron with a convincing score of 6-3, 6-2.
Another player to watch is the Bulgarian eighth seed Grigor Dimitrov, who narrowly defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry in a closely contested match, with a score of 6-7 (9/11), 6-3, 7-5. Dimitrov still harbors hopes of qualifying for the Masters tournament in Turin. If he were to clinch the Paris title, he would surpass notable players like Djokovic, Ruud, and Rublev in the rankings, making his path to the top eight more viable.
Dimitrov expressed his determination, stating, “I would give a lot to be in Turin. I’m in a place where I am still a contender, still fighting against the best players in the world, and still beating the younger guys. This gives me confidence and makes me happy.”
As the tournament progresses, the stakes continue to rise, with Germany’s world number three Alexander Zverev set to commence his Paris campaign against the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor later on Wednesday. The upcoming matches promise to deliver excitement as players vie for crucial ranking points and a chance to make their mark in this prestigious event.
