'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The third day of the ongoing 2024 Rolex Paris Masters was one that produced several shock results. Ben Shelton, who had come into the ATP Masters 1000 event on the back of his runner-up finish at the Swiss Indoors Basel, lost to home hope Arthur Cazaux.
Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz, the World No. 6 and 2024 US Open finalist, was stunned by British No. 1 Jack Draper. Daniil Medvedev also suffered a shock upset, with the Russian losing to Alexei Popyrin. Here, we dive into these three results and take a look at exactly what went wrong for Shelton, Fritz and Medvedev in the French capital.
#1. Ben Shelton's straight-set loss to lucky loser Arthur Cazaux
World No. 85 Arthur Cazaux was hopeful of entering the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters main draw by winning his qualifying matches. However, in the second round of qualifying, the Frenchman lost to Fabio Fognini, but in a surprising twist, Cazaux got a lucky loser spot in the main draw after World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament.
Trending
22-year-old Cazaux produced an impressive display against World No. 19 Ben Shelton. While the French youngster hit 20 winners and only made seven unforced errors, Shelton hit 15 winners and made a dismal 23 unforced errors. Unsurprisingly, the American lost 3-6, 6-7(4).
#2. Jack Draper's statement win over fifth seed Taylor Fritz in a scrappy contest
Jack Draper, the reigning British No. 1 who is rapidly climbing up the ATP Tour rankings, was the underdog on paper for his second-round clash against World No. 6 and fifth seed Taylor Fritz. However, the 22-year-old, currently the World No. 15, surprisingly emerged victorious over the American.
After winning the first set following a tense tiebreak [7-6(6)], Draper was pegged back by Fritz in the second, with the 2024 US Open finalist clinching it 6-4. However, ultimately, Draper reversed the second set scoreline in the third and deciding set to oust Fritz from the event. The Brit later acknowledged that both players failed to play their "cleanest tennis".
"It was difficult. I don’t think it was the cleanest tennis from either of us. We served pretty well but it was tough to get used to the conditions. I thought I did a really good job of competing. Taylor is a top player for a reason. I’m really happy with the win today and with my fight," Draper told Sky Sports.
#3. Daniil Medvedev's defeat to Alexei Popyrin in biggest Rolex Paris Masters 2024 upset so far
Arguably the greatest shock of the third day of the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters came when Alexei Popyrin eliminated former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev went into the match as the overwhelming favorite, having previously bettered Popyrin in all three of their ATP Tour-level meetings. However, the Russian's problematic serve ultimately proved telling.
The 2021 US Open champion produced 14 double faults, and even though Popyrin won 107 total points during the contest compared to Medvedev's 110, it was the Australian who won 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(4). During the contest, the Russian also lost his cool, which resulted in him throwing his racket high into the air.
This is the third successive year when Medvedev bowed out of the Paris Masters in the second round.
