Musetti sours Zverev's first day as number one
Two days after collecting the trophy as the new world number one, Zverev has packed his bags in Paris after a match where his opponent reminded him that ranking does not win matches. First disappointment in his time at the top of the circuit.
Surely it hasn't been the calmest days for Alexander Zverev after becoming the new world number one. This was evident on Wednesday in his first match under this condition, a gray day at the Rolex Paris Masters, where he was eliminated in the first round. The culprit was an excellent Lorenzo Musetti (7-6, 6-2) who seems to be back.
The German arrived in Paris with the label of the best player in the world, but Musetti made sure to remind him from the first exchange that rankings don't win matches. The Italian staged a tactically impeccable encounter, alternating heights, speeds, and directions to prevent Zverev from establishing his usual baseline rhythm. Particularly damaging was the constant use of the sliced backhand towards the German's backhand, a shot that became a true nightmare for Sascha.
Sealed with an ace 🎯 Lorenzo Musetti defeats top seed Zverev to collect his second win over a world No. 1! #RolexParisMasters https://t.co/Ycifynk48s
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 4, 2026
Musetti's low and heavy ball forced Zverev to lift it from an uncomfortable position. And that's where the problems began. The German couldn't generate depth in his shots, piled up errors, and conveyed a sense of discomfort that grew over time. Meanwhile, Musetti found solutions to every response from his opponent.
A Musetti that believes again
Zverev also didn’t help too much in changing the script. His body language left much to be desired for a good part of the match, showing frustration, haste, and an inability to find an alternative. The Italian read that state of mind perfectly and continued to pull the strings of a match that he ultimately won with great authority in the second set.
The victory means much more than just a qualification for Lorenzo Musetti. After defeating Hubert Hurkacz in the previous round, the Italian has secured two prestigious wins that confirm his competitive recovery and, above all, the confidence he seems to have regained in his tennis. When he is inspired, his variety of resources can become a problem for virtually any opponent.
His next obstacle will be Luca Van Assche, who has also pulled off a surprise by eliminating Learner Tien 7-6, 6-4. The Frenchman will be the next opponent for a Musetti who is beginning to look upwards in Paris. For Zverev, however, the start of his new number one status ends in the worst way possible. The throne already has an owner, but Paris has just shown him that keeping it will be another story.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Musetti amarga el primer día de Zverev como número uno