Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur saw their hopes of securing an automatic qualification spot for the ATP Finals effectively vanish following their second-round exits at the Rolex Paris Masters. The results in Paris on Wednesday significantly reshaped the race for the season-ending tournament in Turin, confirming Arthur Fils’ place in the field while leaving the veteran Serbian and the Australian star dependent on other players withdrawing from the event.
Djokovic, the defending champion and a seven-time winner of the ATP Finals, fell to qualifier Rinky Hijikata in a 6-2, 3-6, 3-6 defeat. The loss marked Djokovic’s 10th of the 2024 season. After dominating the opening set, the 24-time Grand Slam champion struggled to contain the 83rd-ranked Australian, who surged to victory with 41 winners—14 more than Djokovic managed throughout the two-hour and 14-minute match.
Reflecting on the match, Djokovic noted a clear shift in momentum after the first set. “I felt like I was in control,” he said. “From there, he just flipped the switch and raised his level. My serve wasn’t great in the second set, and he was playing some really great tennis.”
Rinky Hijikata’s Breakthrough in Paris
For Hijikata, the victory represents a significant career milestone. The 23-year-old admitted he had been uncertain about his physical condition heading into the match. “I wasn’t even sure if I could stand on the court today,” Hijikata said. “I’m just happy I was able to play. I’ve been a bit passive under pressure over the last few months, but this week I’ve been able to stay aggressive.”
Hijikata’s progression to the third round sets up a meeting with Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who advanced by defeating Alex de Minaur 7-6(2), 6-3. De Minaur, who had received a first-round bye as a seeded player, was unable to find his rhythm against the Argentine, further complicating his path to Turin.
Tournament Shakeup for Top Seeds
The Paris Masters draw experienced a wave of upsets alongside the exits of Djokovic and De Minaur. World No. 1 and top seed Alexander Zverev was eliminated by Lorenzo Musetti in a 7-6(5), 6-2 loss. Similarly, fourth-seeded Daniell Medvedev fell to Ignacio Buse 6-4, 6-4, and seventh-seeded Frances Tiafoe was narrowly defeated by Quentin Halys, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(9).
These results have cleared the path for other contenders, with Arthur Fils officially securing his qualification for the ATP Finals based on the day’s outcomes. While Carlos Alcaraz won his opening match, the tournament’s draw remains wide open as the competition heads into the third round.
Third Round Matchups
The upcoming schedule for the third round features several high-profile clashes:
- Carlos Alcaraz vs. Matteo Berrettini
- Arthur Fils vs. Taylor Fritz
- Tommy Paul vs. Quentin Halys
- Lorenzo Musetti vs. Luca Van Assche
- Ignacio Buse vs. Nuno Borges
- Jan-Lennard Struff vs. Casper Ruud
- Arthur Rinderknech vs. Ben Shelton
As the tournament progresses, the focus remains on whether any further withdrawals will occur to alter the final standings for the ATP Finals. For Djokovic and De Minaur, the season’s final major event now rests on circumstances outside of their own control.
