PARIS: Daniil Medvedev became the latest high seed to fall at the Paris Masters when he lost to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on Wednesday.
After second seed Carlos Alcaraz tumbled against qualifier Roman Safiullin late the previous evening, Medvedev, seeded third, open Wednesday’s play at Bercy by losing a marathon to 17th-ranked Dimitrov, 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2).
In a match that lasted two hours and 54 minutes, Medvedev was always chasing.
Dimitrov broke in the sixth game of the match on his way to the first set.
In the second round in Vienna last week, Dimitrov took the first set by the same score but Medvedev won the next two sets comfortably before going on to lose the final.
This time, Medvedev broke in the sixth game of the second set. But Dimitrov fought back, he broke in the ninth game to force a tiebreak which Medvedev edged on his first set point.
In the final set, Dimitrov took the initiative when he broke, again in the sixth game. Medvedev saved four match points before breaking serve in the ninth game. The Russian saved two more match points before holding in his final service game to force a tie-break.
But the Bulgarian raced to a 5-0 lead and, after Medvedev took two points on serve, finished the match.
Dimitrov said he regretted letting a 40-15 lead slip on Medvedev’s serve in tenth game.
“I just didn’t go enough for my shots,” said Dimitrov. “Against a player like him, he’s going to take it, simple as that.”
“I thought I played an excellent game with very good shot selection. It slipped there, but a good outcome in the end.”
World No 1 Novak Djokovic still has to make his first appearance in the afternoon, against 31st ranked Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
SAIULLIN STUNS Alcaraz
On Tuesday, Alcaraz slipped to a shock defeat on his return from injury while Alexander Zverev needed three sets to see off Marton Fucsovics.
Spanish world number two Alcaraz, who was making his return to the court following injuries to his lower back and left foot, had been given a bye in the first round but had no answer to Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin who eased through 6-3, 6-4.
“He didn’t surprise me at all because I knew that he has been playing a great level these last few months, beating big guys, reaching finals,” said a disconsolate Alcarez.
“I knew that he was going to play a high level.”
The 26-year-old held his nerve under pressure from the Wimbledon champion to serve out for the win, despite facing several deuce points in the final game.
“Even if he’s not in the best shape it’s tough to beat him,” said Safiullin. “So, I’m really happy that I made it.”
The German 10th seed Zverev also had his difficulties, having to come back from a set down to beat Hungarian Fucsovics 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the round of 64 at Bercy Arena.
“It was just one or two points (that made the difference),” said Zverev.
“He was playing incredibly well and tactically I think he was unbelievable. His slice was effective as I did not know what to do on this surface here. It was a very difficult match, and I am happy to be through. I found my level and I am happy with that.” — AFP
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