2021 Rolex Paris Masters...ATP 1000...Paris, France

[don_budge]

https://www.atptour.com/en/scores/current/paris/352/draws

Novak Djokovic in the house. A year ago that would have changed everything but now...not so sure. The youngsters are getting restless and they are slugging it out to replace the old guard...they are fighting amongst themselves mostly. The old guard went MIA. But Novak emerges to make the push to finish number one at the end of the year. It will be interesting to see how he makes his way through the draw.

The top four seeds are: Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev. Do any of them stand a chance at the end of the week? We'll see.

[don_budge]

Jensen Brooksby to torture Andy Murray in the first round.

[glacierguy]

Jensen Brooksby to torture Andy Murray in the first round.

Murray lives for the torture. Will be watching. Murray's returns are still world class and worth studying.

[stroke]

The oddsmakers favorites in order, Novak, Medvedev, Zverev, Tsitsipas, Sinner.

[don_budge]

A glimpse of the future that we were robbed of last week...Jannik Sinner versus Carlos Alcarez.

[stroke]

No doubt. Super great ball striking in that match. So impressive. Alcaraz in my top 3 for FO favorites.

[stroke]

Match of the day, Zverev vs Dimitrov. Both in great form. Other great matches, Korda vs Medvedev, Novak vs Monfils, Norrie vs Fritz.

[stroke]

Monfils is out. I guess he did not like his chances with his 0-17 record vs Novak.

[stotty]

Monfils is out. I guess he did not like his chances with his 0-17 record vs Novak.

That is exactly what went through my mind...

[stroke]

Fritz really played well and earned a hard fought win vs Norrie.

[don_budge]

Fritz really played well and earned a hard fought win vs Norrie.

Three really solid wins from Taylor Fritz coming off a big week in Russia. He beats #27 Lorenzo Sonego in the first round and follows it up with a straight set over Ruska Rublev who is #6. Norrie was ranked #13 as Taylor takes him down in straight sets as well to get the match he wanted once the draw was made. He gets a shot at the top player in the world who could possibly be in for a big surprise. Novak hasn't had a lot of match play recently and his last match opted out for something a bit more cozy than Djokovic. I seriously doubt "The Amazing Mr. Monfils" had any qualms about playing Djokovic other than whatever it is that is ailing him. Monfils doesn't give me that impression. He would just as soon play the top player rather than putting his reputation on the line against lesser known quantities.

Taylor has done a remarkable job as of late lifting American tennis up by the boot laces. Now it is to his compadres to do the same. They need to take a deep breath and tell themselves that this is not enough. Marcos Giron ranked #57, has to like what he has in the next round. He gets a shot at a Top Ten player in Casper Ruud ranked #6. He has got absolutely nothing to lose in this matchup and he needs to come out of the gates acting like he belongs in the same building as the upper echelon. He has already defeated Frances Tiafoe #41 and Diego Schwartzman #15. Possibly a big match for Giron if he can make it one. Sebastian Korda also has some big steak on his plate in the world's #2 in Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev also has not played a lot of matches lately so there is just a tad of a question mark regarding his form. Korda has to come out strong and make Medvedev ask himself the existential questions.

Korda took down Marin Cilic and Aslan Karatsev in back to back matches. The #13 and #28 ranked players respectively. Sebastian can send a big, big message to the tennis world if he can catch Medvedev off guard just a bit and surprise him with his arsenal. Big day for American tennis. The numbers of the players that they have taken down so far is impressive and if they can each do their part here it is going to make waves in the tennis world.

[stroke]

Copy Korda. Fritz, I have long really liked his game, and it seems as if Taylor is starting to really like his game also.

Grigor played pretty much at his best level easy on the eye game, and loses the 1st set in a tiebreaker to Zverev.

[don_budge]

Dimitrov trying with all his might to channel his inner Federer and get this tie-breaker in the bank. He's looking really good...not sure if it will be enough. Big point there...4-0.

[stroke]

Easy on the eye Grigor wins 2nd set tiebreaker. Come on Grigor.

[don_budge]

Easy on the eye Grigor wins 2nd set tiebreaker. Come on Grigor.

See how his is channeling his inner "Baby Fed"...with the slice. Zverev is having a momentary serving lapse and Grigor needs to take advantage of it. The opportunity might not present itself again.