France’s top tennis player Ugo Humbert was drawn on Friday to take on the American Brandon Nakashima in the opening round at the Paris Masters which starts on Monday.
Issued on: 25/10/2024 – 23:15
2 min
Should the 26-year-old survive the challenge, he will play a qualifier in the second round and possibly meet world number two Carlos Alcaraz in the last-16.
Humbert, who won titles in Marseille and Dubai in 2024, is among six Frenchmen in the main draw at the season’s final event in the Masters 1000 series – considered the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit after the four Grand Slam events in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York.
French veteran Richard Gasquet, who will be playing at the event for the 17th and final time, was given the honour of performing the draw.
The 38-year-old, who will retire after the 2025 French Open in Paris, will play Flavio Cobolli from Italy, who is 16 years his junior.
“It will be a difficult match,” said Gasquet. “He’s a young player who’s destined for big things.”
Gasquet, whose best result at the Paris Masters came in 2007 when he reached the semi-final, added: “It’s a bit of an odd one really. I know that I won’t be playing in this tournament again after this year and so it will be a bit strange. It’s a great court and I am going to give it my best and really enjoy the match.”
Gasquet’s comaptriots – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Adrian Mannarino – were drawn against the Americans Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul respectively.
Arthur Fils, the world number 20, will play the former US Open champion Marin Cilic.
Top seed Jannik Sinner, who launches his campaign in the second round,will play the victor from the first round clash between the American Ben Shelton and Félix Auger-Aliassime from Canada.
Fifth seed Taylor Fritz is also in Sinner’s top quarter, while third seed Alexander Zverev and sixth seed Andrey Rublev feature in the second quarter in the top half of the draw.
Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic pulled out of the tournament on Wednesday night.
The 37-year-old Serb provided no reasons for his withdrawal.
Novak Djokovic beat Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets in November 2023 to lift a record-extending seventh Paris Masters crown. AP – Michel Euler
“Wishing all the players, sponsors, organisers and fans a great tournament,” Djokovic wrote on social media.
“I have a lot of great memories, winning seven titles there, and hope to be back with you next year,” he added. “Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me there.”