Local favorite Humbert wins difficult 3-setter against Nakashima during Paris Masters

PARIS – Local favorite Hugo Humbert had to work hard on Monday to beat Brandon Nakashima of the United States in his first match at the Paris Masters.

Humbert, seeded 15th at the final Masters 1000 event of the season, needed more than two hours to beat 35th-seeded Nakashima 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Humbert, who saved two break points in the decider, extended his unbeaten record against Nakashima to 3-0. He will next face another American player, Marcos Giron, who defeated Shang Juncheng 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6).

Dutchman Tallon Greekpoor also advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Luciano Darderi – setting up a second-round meeting with third seed Alexander Zverev – and Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry defeated Zhang Zhizhen 6-3, 7-6 (6). Etcheverry will next face Grigor Dimitrov.

Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, Arthur Rinderknech of France and Australian Jordan Thompson were among those who made progress on Monday.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic will skip the tournament this year. Jannik Sinner, who is guaranteed to end the year at number one in the ATP rankings, is the top-ranked player in Paris, where places in the ATP finals are at stake. Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev have already secured their spot at the season finale from November 10 to 17.