# Zverev falls in first match as world number one; Djokovic's ATP Finals hopes over
_Lorenzo Musetti beat Alexander Zverev in Paris, while Rinky Hijikata ended Novak Djokovic's bid for the season-ending tournament._

- Publisher: Apex Sports News (https://apexsportsnews.in)
- Canonical URL: https://apexsportsnews.in/news/zverev-falls-in-first-match-as-world-number-one-djokovic-s-atp-finals-hopes
- Author: Rohit, Sports writer (https://apexsportsnews.in/author/rohit)
- Published: 2026-11-04T21:08:18.905Z
- Section: Tennis > ATP Tour
- Topics: Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, ATP Finals, Paris Masters, Lorenzo Musetti
## Summary

Alexander Zverev lost his first match as ATP world number one to Lorenzo Musetti at the Paris Masters. Novak Djokovic's ATP Finals hopes ended after a defeat to Rinky Hijikata.

## Key takeaways

- Lorenzo Musetti beat Alexander Zverev 7-6(5) 6-2 at the Paris Masters
- Rinky Hijikata beat Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 6-3
- Djokovic is out of the ATP Finals in Turin
- Arthur Fils qualified for the ATP Finals

## Article

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.

## Musetti's resurgence and Zverev's breakthrough season

The win continued a resurgence for Musetti, who has been hampered by injuries throughout the 2026 season. 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 world number one, which I find quite difficult, because I think I deserve to be where I am, even though I lost today.

" Zverev did not specify who or what had prompted his frustration since he climbed to the top of the rankings.

## Djokovic's ATP Finals hopes end

His new status also renewed scrutiny of domestic abuse allegations made against him by two former partners.

A German court closed a case involving his former partner Brenda Patea after a 2024 settlement without a finding of guilt, and the ATP ended a separate investigation into allegations by Olga Sharypova in 2023, citing insufficient evidence.

Zverev has already secured his place at this month's ATP Finals in Turin, but Djokovic's hopes of joining him were ended by world number 83 Hijikata. The 25-year-old Australian beat the 24-times Grand Slam champion 2-6 6-3 6-3.

The 39-year-old Serb, who missed the last two editions of the season-ending tournament, arrived in Paris needing a deep run after early exits in Shanghai and Basel.

## Other results and what happens next

Elsewhere, unseeded Peruvian Ignacio Buse claimed the biggest win of his career by upsetting Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-4. Medvedev, who has already qualified for Turin, received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after striking the court in frustration at 4-4 in the second set.

Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry also produced an upset, defeating eighth seed De Minaur 7-6(2) 6-3. Musetti advances to the third round at the Paris Masters. Hijikata will face Etcheverry in the round of 16. The ATP Finals run from November 15 to 22 in Turin.

### Paris Masters second-round results

| Winner | Loser | Score |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lorenzo Musetti | Alexander Zverev | 7-6(5) 6-2 |
| Rinky Hijikata | Novak Djokovic | 2-6 6-3 6-3 |
| Ignacio Buse | Daniil Medvedev | 6-4 6-4 |
| Tomas Martin Etcheverry | Alex de Minaur | 7-6(2) 6-3 |

### Key figures

| Player | Figure |
| --- | --- |
| Alexander Zverev | World number one |
| Lorenzo Musetti | World number 24 |
| Rinky Hijikata | World number 83 |
| Novak Djokovic | 24 Grand Slam titles |

### Related on Apex Sports News

- [Djokovic to miss ATP Finals after early Paris exit](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/djokovic-to-miss-atp-finals-after-early-paris-exit)
- [Novak Djokovic close to solving health issues as he chases ATP Finals spot](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/novak-djokovic-close-to-solving-health-issues-as-he-chases-atp-finals-spot)
- [Paris Masters: Djokovic survives Vacherot scare in Bercy return](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/paris-masters-djokovic-survives-vacherot-scare-in-bercy-return)

### Sources

- [Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/tennis/zverev-falls-in-first-match-as-world-number-one-djokovics-atp-finals-hopes-over-101793816853201.html)
- [tennismajors.com](https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/shock-wednesday-in-paris-hijikata-stuns-djokovic-as-zverev-medvedev-de-minaur-and-tiafoe-also-fall-865627.html)
- [Photo: Rick Munroe, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alexander_Zverev_in_Miami.jpg)
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