First round: strong starts and fearless debuts
The first five matches of the 2026 Rolex Paris Masters main draw certainly lived up to expectations.
Musetti comes through the test
Who would earn the right to face the new world No.1 Alexander Zverev in the second round? Between Lorenzo Musetti and Hubert Hurkacz, the outcome remained uncertain for much of the contest as the two players were separated by the finest of margins. Effective both from the baseline and at the net, they were particularly impressive behind serve, winning 80% and 92% of points behind their first deliveries respectively. Unsurprisingly, the match was decided by two tie-breaks.
After taking control with an authoritative display in the first, the Lyon champion kept his nerve in the second. Hurkacz saved three match points and earned two set points of his own before finally succumbing after a dramatic 20-minute tie-break battle. Musetti ultimately prevailed 7-6(3), 7-6(10) in 1h43.
The 2022 quarter-finalist will now face the ultimate challenge on tour if he wants to extend his Paris adventure: world No.1 Alexander Zverev.
First impressions matter
Making his debut in Paris as the new world No.10, Rafael Jodar arrived with plenty of expectations on his shoulders. The Spanish phenomenon had little trouble living up to them.
Fresh from defeating Alejandro Tabilo in Basel last week, he repeated the feat without ever needing to produce his very best tennis, easing through 6-2, 6-3 in just 1h16. Jodar struck 34 winners while committing half as many unforced errors and kept constant pressure on his opponent's serve throughout the encounter, converting five of his 12 break-point opportunities. His next opponent will be either Casper Ruud or Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who are currently facing off on Centre Court.
Having brilliantly come through qualifying, Rinky Hijikata was equally determined to make a quick impression in his first Rolex Paris Masters main-draw appearance. The Australian arrived with confidence against Luciano Darderi after convincing victories over the Italian at both Indian Wells and Cincinnati earlier this season. He made the decisive move in the fifth game of the opening set, eventually securing a break after a lengthy battle through multiple deuces. Neither player knew it at the time, but that proved to be the decisive moment of the match.
Never troubled on serve, Hijikata cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 victory in just 1h04. His reward is a second-round meeting with the winner of the highly anticipated clash between Novak Djokovic and Valentin Vacherot.
Despite a brief response from Zizou Bergs, who managed to break back in the second set as a final act of resistance, Ignacio Buse encountered few difficulties in securing the first Rolex Paris Masters win of his career. The Peruvian prevailed 6-2, 6-4 in 1h19 and created no fewer than 10 break-point opportunities, converting four of them during an entertaining and open contest.
The Hamburg and Winston-Salem champion now has a blockbuster appointment with Daniil Medvedev.
It was also a winning start for Luca Van Assche. The Frenchman faced a sterner examination than some of the day's other winners, particularly in the second set, but showed impressive composure at the crucial moments against the always-dangerous Mariano Navone. Van Assche saved all three break points he faced before closing out a 6-3, 7-5 victory after 1h53. The Estoril champion will now take on the winner of tomorrow’s showdown between No.15 seed Learner Tien and Stefanos Tsitsipas.