PARIS — Alexei Popyrin upset fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (4) within the second spherical of the Paris Masters on Wednesday in a tense match with many ups and downs.
The 25-year-old Australian participant, who gained his first Masters 1000 title in Montreal this summer season, had misplaced his three earlier matches in opposition to his Russian rival.
Popyrin and Medvedev mixed for 86 unforced errors below the roof of the Palais Omnisports.
Medvedev trailed 4-1 within the deciding set however broke again to pressure a tiebreaker through which Popyrin performed extra aggressively. Medvedev double-faulted to present Popyrin a match level, and the Australian transformed it on the web.
It was Medvedev’s third straight opening-round loss in Paris. He has not gained a title this season.
A nasty name from a line umpire that pressured some extent to be replayed within the eighth sport of the deciding set left Popyrin livid, however he recovered rapidly and gained the replay with an excellent forehand volley to erase a break level.
“Stuff like that, I am attempting to let it fireplace me up reasonably than put me down,” Popyrin mentioned. “It was robust to take, nevertheless it undoubtedly fired me up after that, most likely woke me up slightly bit, and perhaps I performed a bit extra free.”
Additionally, eighth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov stayed within the race for the ATP Finals after rallying previous Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7 (9), 6-3, 7-5.
Dimitrov, who saved all three break factors he confronted, is in tenth place within the race to earn a spot at subsequent month’s ATP Finals, the year-end match gathering the highest eight gamers of the season. Dimitrov might qualify if the reaches the ultimate in Paris.
“It is robust situations. On the finish of the yr it is very tough,” Dimitrov mentioned. “Everybody desires to empty their tank utterly. I might give rather a lot to be in [the finals]. I am in a spot the place I’m nonetheless a contender, I am nonetheless combating in opposition to the most effective gamers on the earth, and nonetheless beating the youthful guys. This provides me confidence and makes me joyful.”
French wild card Arthur Rinderknech additionally progressed to the third spherical with a 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7) win over Alex Michelsen.
