Djokovic out in Paris second round, misses ATP Finals after Hijikata loss

Djokovic's exit in Paris

Novak Djokovic lost in the second round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, beaten 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 by Rinky Hijikata of Australia. Hijikata, ranked 83rd and coming through qualifying, produced what reports described as the biggest win of his career, and it was the first time he had beaten Djokovic. Djokovic, 39, had beaten Monegasque Valentin Vacherot in three sets in the first round, and he took the opening set in a little over 30 minutes. Hijikata raised his level in the second set, forcing longer rallies, and went on to win it 6-3 in nearly an hour. The match lasted 2 hours 16 minutes. Djokovic missed three break chances while leading 2-1 in the decider, then produced a series of errors that ended his week in Paris and his season.

What the defeat means for Turin

Djokovic was 11th in the Race to Turin, and only a semi-final in Paris could have lifted him into the eight-player field for the ATP Finals. Had he qualified, he would have matched Roger Federer's record of 17 appearances at the tournament. Djokovic has won the event seven times, so a qualification would also have given him a chance at an eighth title. This year he reached the Australian Open final and the Wimbledon semi-finals, but he has not reached a Masters 1000 quarter-final at any event in 2026. The loss means he misses the season-ending event for only the second time in the past 20 seasons when fit, the first being in 2017. Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul remain in contention for the two final places, which are currently held by Frances Tiafoe and Rafael Jodar.

Tiafoe, De Minaur and the other results

Earlier on Wednesday, Tiafoe lost 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (11-9) to Quentin Halys of France, which ended his own qualifying chances on that day. Alex de Minaur of Australia then lost 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 to Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina, a result that could have secured his place. Arthur Fils, ranked seventh, will play in Turin after Halys's win, and he is the first Frenchman to qualify since Gael Monfils in 2016. Alexander Zverev, who replaced Jannik Sinner at No 1 on Monday, lost his first match as top seed in straight sets to Lorenzo Musetti, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, in 1 hour 42 minutes. Zverev said he was 'annoyed' by the response to his promotion to the top ranking. Musetti beat Zverev for the fourth time in six meetings, and he is only the fifth man to beat an opponent in that player's first match as world No 1. Daniil Medvedev, the fourth seed, lost 6-4, 6-4 to Ignacio Buse of Peru, who is ranked 33rd. Zverev and Medvedev had already qualified for Turin.