The Japan Times - Sinner cruises in Paris Masters opener, Zverev keeps title defence alive

Following the surprise exit of world number one Carlos Alcaraz at the round of 32 stage on Tuesday, a maiden crown in the ATP 1000 event in the French capital would return Sinner to the summit of the world rankings.

But the Italian second seed showed no signs of feeling the weight of that pressure in his opening match at La Defense Arena -- the top eight seeds received byes through the first round.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner is known for his efficiency on-court and won through against 41st-ranked Belgian Bergs in one hour and 27 minutes without facing a single break point.

The 24-year-old methodically engineered breaks of his own early in both sets to seal his spot in the third round, where he will meet Francisco Cerundolo after the Argentinian earlier bested Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia.

Germany's Zverev battled past Argentine world number 49 Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 7-5 to open his title defence.

He will next take on Spanish 15th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina following his victory over Frenchman Arthur Cazaux.

A hardfought tie-break separated Zverev and Ugo Carabelli in the opening set, before the 28-year-old cruised through the second in 35 minutes.

It then seemed Zverev might follow Alcaraz in crashing out early at La Defense Arena when the third seed fell 1-3 behind in the decider.

But he hit back instantly on his opponent's next service game, before securing the crucial break at 5-5 to keep his title defence alive.

- Dimitrov withdraws -

Norwegian eighth seed Casper Ruud was felled in his opening match at the tournament by 50th-ranked German Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 7-5.

Former world number one Daniil Medvedev of Russia was given a walkover to the third round after Grigor Dimitrov withdrew with a shoulder issue.

The 34-year-old Bulgarian's return from the pectoral injury, which forced him to retire when leading eventual champion Sinner two sets to love in the fourth round at Wimbledon in July, unfortunately lasted only one match before his latest fitness set-back.

Cousins Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech opened the day's action in a repeat of their Shanghai Masters final from earlier in October.

And just like in China, it was the Monegasque Vacherot who claimed victory in three sets against the Frenchman.

Felix Auger-Aliassime again came from behind to keep intact his chances of reaching the ATP Finals next month in Turin.

This time the Canadian ninth seed ground out a 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4) in over three hours on court against hometown player Alexandre Muller.

Auger-Aliassime is currently ninth in the race to the eight-man season-ending tournament, with Italy's Lorenzo Musetti -- the player currently occupying the final qualification spot -- in action later Tuesday against compatriot Lorenzo Sonego.

Rising Brazilian star Joao Fonseca will conclude the night session against Russian 10th seed Karen Khachanov.

T.Kobayashi--JT