Medvedev Falls to Popyrin in Paris Masters Opener, Extending Winless Streak

Posted : 30 October 2024

Daniil Medvedev's quest for his first ATP title of the year continues after his unexpected defeat to Australia's Alexei Popyrin at the Paris Masters. Despite being a former champion, with a Paris title in 2020, Medvedev has struggled in recent years at this indoor tournament.

This recent loss marks his third consecutive first-round exit at the Paris Masters, a challenging setback for the world No. 5. Medvedev fell to Popyrin in a tightly contested match, ending in a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4) scoreline, marking the first victory for the Australian over Medvedev in four meetings.

Popyrin, ranked 24th in the world, has enjoyed a successful year, highlighted by his first Masters title in Montreal and a notable win over Novak Djokovic at the US Open. Reflecting on his breakthrough against Medvedev, Popyrin expressed satisfaction, noting their previous battles and his pleasure at finally securing the win.

This victory also marks only his third win over a top-five player, underscoring his upward trajectory in the ATP rankings. Popyrin now advances to face either France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Russia's Karen Khachanov in the tournament’s next round.

Medvedev, despite his early exit, has secured a spot in the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin. The match saw Medvedev fighting back from a 4-1 deficit in the deciding set, pushing the contest to a tiebreak.

He made another attempt to rally from behind in the tiebreak but ultimately faltered with a double fault that gave Popyrin match point, which the Australian quickly converted. Medvedev acknowledged the closeness of the contest, expressing disappointment at missed opportunities but attributing the outcome to the tight competition.

With high-seeded players like Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud also bowing out early, Carlos Alcaraz has emerged as a strong title contender, advancing after a win over Ugo Humbert. Meanwhile, Grigor Dimitrov, still vying for a spot in Turin, remains in the hunt after a hard-fought victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

Dimitrov, who reached last year’s Paris final, remains hopeful about his chances, reflecting on his motivation to compete against the world’s best and the satisfaction he draws from continuing to challenge top-ranked players. Alexander Zverev, already qualified for Turin, is set to kick off his Paris campaign against Tallon Griekspoor.

Medvedev Falls to Popyrin in Paris Masters Opener, Extending Winless Streak

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