Zverev loses first match as world number one at Paris

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 11:12 · Archive

Alexander Zverev suffered defeat to Lorenzo Musetti in his first match after becoming world number one.

Alexander Zverev suffered a straight-sets defeat to Lorenzo Musetti at the Paris Masters on Wednesday in his first match since becoming world number one. The 29-year-old German lost 7-6(5) 6-2 to the in-form Italian in the second round. Zverev had led 5-2 in the first-set tie-break before Musetti won six of the last seven points to take the set, then broke twice in the second set to secure victory in one hour and 40 minutes.

Zverev reached the top of the rankings after winning his first two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and US Open this year. His rise comes during a season in which Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have been hampered by injuries. The German has a strong record against lower-ranked players, with a 62-8 win-loss mark against opponents ranked outside the top ten this year, but has won only three of twelve matches against top-ten players.

After his defeat, Zverev expressed frustration with the response to his ranking achievement. 'I don't think anybody had to explain themselves as much as I had to do in the last couple of days, which for me, is annoying, to be honest,' he said. 'I feel like I'm the only world number one in tennis history that has to explain why it's OK for me to be world number one.'

Musetti, now ranked 24th, has won eight of his past nine ATP matches. The Italian, a two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist who won his first title in four years in Lyon last month, praised his performance. 'It's pretty shocking the level I was able to play,' he said. Musetti advances to face France's Luca Van Assche in the third round.

How it is being reported

• Alexander Zverev ‘annoyed’ by reaction to him becoming men’s world No 1The German player tops the standings after winning two Grand Slams amid a breakthrough seasonIndependent Sport · 5 Nov, 10:45
• Zverev annoyed by reaction to becoming world number oneAfter a defeat at the Paris Masters, Alexander Zverev complains that he is the only player who has had "to explain why it's OK" for him to be top of the rankings.BBC News · 4 Nov, 17:08
• Alexander Zverev suffers straight-sets defeat in first match as world No 1The German’s reign as world No 1 got off to a lacklustre start as he was upset by Lorenzo MusettiIndependent Sport · 4 Nov, 15:49

In this story: Alexander Zverev · Lorenzo Musetti · Paris Masters · Jannik Sinner · Carlos Alcaraz · Luca Van Assche

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