Alexander Zverev becomes first player to lose opening match as World No.1 since 2022 against Lorenzo Musetti at Paris Masters

Alexander Zverev has become the fifth ATP player to lose their opening match as the World No.1. He fell in the second round of the Paris Masters against an inspired Lorenzo Musetti, losing 7-6(5), 6-2.

This is the first time it has occurred since Carlos Alcaraz back in 2022, and a damaging blow for Zverev, who has gone two consecutive seasons without winning a Masters 1000 title, dating back to this event two years ago.

In a similar vein to Elena Rybakina on the WTA Tour, he has not relished his new status as the World No.1. His lofty place in the rankings would not help him on this occasion with his performance not at the standard expected. This could have come down to the ridiculous number of matches he has played since the US Open.

On the other side of the court, it was a big win for Musetti who is starting to find his feet once more on court. A tumultuous 2026 campaign has seen him drop out of the top 20, but now he is producing some top results with just as he reaches the last-16 of the Paris Masters for the first time since 2021 with his second win over a No.1 player after defeating Novak Djokovic at the Monte-Carlo Masters three years ago.

12 consecutive holds of serve brought a tiebreak with huge stakes. Both players had break points missed in that set, and it would be Zverev rueing his missed chances after blowing a sizeable lead in that tiebreak. He was not at the races in the second set, and Musetti pounced. A brilliant set of tennis got him over the line and he will play Luca Van Assche in the next round.

The first bit of pressure in the match came in the sixth game. Zverev had won eight from eight service points, but a double fault ruined his clean streak. Musetti led 15-30, but three points later Zverev made it six holds in a row. He had only found 43% of his first serves but won them all, with his second serve not being pounced upon by his opponent.

The first break points went the way of Musetti, who managed to find a chink in the armour of the two-time Grand Slam champion. On both occasions, a defiant response was met with as Zverev restored parity while surviving a huge scare.

The holds were a common theme, and the seemingly inevitable tiebreak was called upon. At 5-2, Zverev was in command. He led 5-4 with all Musetti being able to do is force Zverev to serve it out. Two points against the serve were won, and incredibly the 24-year-old had a set point. He converted it and led the No.1 seed.

He instantly looked to go about extending his advantage, relinquishing a great opportunity to do that with a break point in the opening game not taken. Not to worry, as two games later another brace of chances cropped up. The latter was converted, and Zverev was under the cosh.

He never found his groove on court, and the signs of frustration were on display. Another break point went the way of Musetti, and he followed it with a hold to love to conclude the match. Zverev will now have a rest before the ATP Finals, with Musetti marching on.