Alcaraz and Jódar could face each other in the Paris Masters 1000

All good things must come to an end, and tennis will face this week the last Masters 1000 of the year in Paris. From November 2 to 8, the world's best will fight for great objectives in the French capital. Carlos Alcaraz is the favorite for the title, alongside Alexander Zverev, while Rafael Jódar and Novak Djokovic will be looking to secure their spots in the ATP Finals. We analyze the draw of the ATP Rolex Paris Masters 2026.

Tennis will face a magical week at the Défense Arena with the last tournament of the regular season, where many uncertainties will need to be resolved. One of the most intriguing questions will be whether Carlos Alcaraz can conclude the year by adding a Masters 1000 title, something he will pursue vigorously, just like Alexander Zverev. 

In addition, the battle for the ATP Finals 2026 will be fierce among various players, fully aware of the need to accumulate points to secure a spot among the top 8 of the season. Among them will be a legend like Novak Djokovic and the year's great revelation in men's tennis, Rafael Jódar. Is there anyone else?

Analysis of the ATP Rolex Paris Masters 2026 Draw

Alcaraz has a tough road ahead

Alcaraz's path in Paris will be extremely difficult, knowing that he faces very fit players in this final stretch of the season who are fighting for their place in the ATP Finals.

Exempt from the first round, the Murcian will debut against the winner of the match between Jiri Lehecka and Alex Michelsen. He knows both well, having faced them this same season in tough matches where he needed his best version to achieve victory. The Czech seems particularly dangerous after his impressive performance in Basel.

Looking ahead to the third round, Alcaraz's most likely rivals will be Brandon Nakashima or Matteo Berrettini, who will face each other in one of the most attractive matches of the first round. One cannot rule out that Ugo Humbert or Botic Van de Zandschulp might surprise in this section, as both are very skilled on indoor courts. In fact, the Frenchman defeated Carlos in this tournament last year.

In the quarter-finals, the names of Arthur Fils and Taylor Fritz appear as the most probable rivals. The Frenchman’s withdrawal due to injury brings uncertainty about his ability to compete fully in Paris, while the American is deeply involved in the race for the ATP Finals and has had numerous tough battles with Carlos this year, such as at the Laver Cup and in Tokyo.

In a potential semi-final matchup for Alcaraz, there is a possibility that Jódar could be his opponent, something all Spanish tennis fans dream of. Also, Davidovich is a strong candidate, although the higher-ranked players would be Daniil Medvedev, who might relax after securing his spot in Turin, and Flavio Cobolli, about whom there are doubts due to his injury withdrawal in Vienna and the distress he displayed.

Rafael Jódar could face Davidovich and Alcaraz

The young Madrid tennis player has a great task ahead, striving to accumulate the necessary points to qualify for the ATP Finals. His unexpected stumble in Basel creates a sense of urgency that can be a double-edged sword for him. 

Rafael Jódar will make his debut in the Masters 1000 in Paris against Alejandro Tabilo. Yes, for the fourth time this year, the Spaniard and Chilean will face each other, a week later than their encounter in Basel. Jódar seems to have a good measure of the South American, so there are reasons for optimism.

Rafa would likely face Casper Ruud in the second round, or a player from the qualifying phase, which illustrates the enormous demands of his journey toward glory. In the round of 16, his potential opponent would be Flavio Cobolli, provided the Italian is fit physically from his ailments and can win in his debut against Gea or a qualifier.

With an eye on the quarter-finals, the names of Daniil Medvedev or Alejandro Davidovich emerge as the most likely rivals, while in the semi-finals, that longed-for fratricidal clash against Carlos Alcaraz could occur.

Novak Djokovic would face everything against De Miñaur and Zverev

The Serbian needs a true feat to secure his ticket to the ATP Finals, something he could only achieve if he goes far in this Masters 1000 in Paris. As the tenth seed, he is bound to compete in the first round, debuting against a Valentin Vacherot who will arrive brimming with confidence from Basel and who already defeated him last year in Shanghai.

The level of demands eases for the second round, where he would face Luciano Darderi or a player qualified from the preliminary rounds, while real hostilities could erupt in the round of 16, with Álex de Miñaur not only a great candidate to face him in that round but also one of his direct rivals for a spot in the ATP Finals.

If he overcomes that hurdle, it seems logical that Alexander Zverev would be the opponent in the quarter-finals. The German will have a very complex debut, whether against Musetti or Hurkacz, and other players like Stefanos Tsitsipas or Learner Tien could make things difficult for him.

Whoever survives that tough quadrant, with Zverev and Djokovic as favorites, would meet in the semi-finals with Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, or Fran Cerúndolo, heads of a section that provides an authentic field of opportunities for other players like Dani Mérida, Holger Rune, or Cameron Norrie.

Potential quarter-final matchups in the Paris Masters 1000

• Alexander Zverev vs Álex de Miñaur or Novak Djokovic

• Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe

• Daniil Medvedev vs Flavio Cobolli or Rafael Jódar

• Carlos Alcaraz vs Arthur Fils or Taylor Fritz

This is how the final draw of the Paris Masters 1000 2026 looks

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This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz y Jódar podrían cruzarse en el Masters 1000 de París