Zverev falls in first match as world number one; Djokovic's ATP Finals hopes over

PARIS, Nov 4 : Lorenzo Musetti spoiled Alexander Zverev's first match as world number one by toppling him in the second round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday, while Rinky Hijikata ended Novak Djokovic's hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals.

The 29-year-old Zverev, who climbed to number one on Monday, suffered a surprise 7-6(5) 6-2 defeat just days after losing to Australia's Alex de Minaur in the Vienna Open semi-finals.

Musetti, a former world number five, seized the initiative by winning six of the final seven points of the opening-set tiebreak before taking command of the second set.

The 24-year-old Italian broke Zverev for a 2-1 lead and struck again to move 5-2 ahead on his way to victory.

World number 24 Musetti, a former French Open and Wimbledon semi-finalist, fired 29 winners and eight aces during the contest to improve his head-to-head record against Zverev to 4-2.

The win continued 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 Djokovic by two sets in their quarter-final. Musetti ended a four-year wait for a title in Lyon last month.

Zverev has enjoyed a breakthrough season, capturing his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open before adding a second major crown at the US Open.

Asked whether his first match as world number one had brought additional pressure, the German top seed told reporters: "I don't know if it's stress.

"I was a bit annoyed, to be honest, the last couple of days, because achieving the world number one status is something that I think every player dreams of.

"But then I feel like I'm the only world number one in tennis history that has to explain why it's okay for me to be