Carlos Alcaraz's Bid for World No.1 Hit by Paris Masters Shock Loss to Roman Safiullin, Djokovic Advances to Next Round

World No.2 Alcaraz's upset by 45th-ranked Safiullin raises questions about his physical fitness and jeopardizes his chances to outrank Djokovic by year-end. In contrast, Djokovic's successful return from a six-week break boosts his bid for a record eighth title.

World number two Carlos Alcaraz suffered a loss at the Paris Masters to Russian player Roman Safiullin. The defeat has adversely affected his campaign to finish the year as the world number one.
Alcaraz, who recently got back in the game after withdrawing from the Swiss Indoors Championships due to injury, was noticeably below his usual performance level.
Despite an early lead in both sets, Alcaraz lost 6-3, 6-4 to the 45th-ranked Safiullin. The defeat, the first in an opening round for Alcaraz this year, was marked by 27 unforced errors.
Novak Djokovic, world number one, has advanced to the next round, strengthening his bid for a record eighth title. Djokovic, who took a six-week respite, currently leads Alcaraz by 580 points, intensifying year-end competition for the world number one spot.
Alcaraz's loss might not be entirely physical. The young Spaniard admitted he needs to improve his movement. His demanding style of play could also be a factor, considering the season's length.