PARIS: World number one Novak Djokovic got off to a solid start in his quest for a record-extending seventh Paris Masters title with a resounding 6-3, 6-2 win over Tomas Etcheverry in the second round on Wednesday.

The Serb, who was playing his first singles match since the Davis Cup six weeks ago, has strengthened his grip at the top of the rankings, taking a 580-point lead over Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who exited the tournament on Tuesday.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner made only nine unforced errors and did not drop serve throughout the match as he beat the Argentine world number 31 in one hour and 23 minutes.

“I am pleased .... Some parts of the match were really good, others losing the rhythm. But I think it is normal to be rusty a little bit after not playing an official match for so long,” the 36-year-old Djokovic, who will next play Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, said.

World number three Daniil Medvedev threw another Paris tantrum as he lost 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2) to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov

The Russian denied making an obscene gesture towards the crowd, who had booed him earlier, after losing the heated second-round clash.

Medvedev walked off court at the end of the match examining his hand before pointing his middle finger at the stands.

Medvedev has had a series of run-ins with Parisian fans. In May, he gestured for the crowd to shut up at Roland Garros and has complained on previous visits to Bercy.

Greek seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) and will next face Alexander Zverev after the German dug deep to beat Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/5).

Currently in the last qualifying spot for next month’s ATP Finals, reigning Bercy champion Holger Rune stayed on track for a quarter-final meeting with Djokovic by seeing off former US Open winner Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-2.

American Tommy Paul’s hopes of making the ATP Finals ended when the 12th seed lost to qualifier Botic Van de Zandschulp 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, while 13th seed Alex de Minaur of Australia remained in contention for a spot at the tournament in Turin by beating Dusan Lajovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Francisco Cerundolo stunned Norwegian Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-4. The Argentine will next play 11th seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, who earlier beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 6-2 in less than an hour.

Italian Jannik Sinner, the fourth seed, rallied from a set down to beat American Mackenzie McDonald 6-7 (6/8), 7-5, 6-1.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2023