Paris Masters 1000, draw: easy debut on paper for Jannik Sinner, possible Musetti-Sonego challenge

The pairings for the main draw of the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000, the last major event of the ATP season before the Finals, were drawn on Friday. Leading the Italian patrol is Jannik Sinner, who will be seeded No. 2. Curiously, the other Italians already certain of their presence are also all at the bottom of the draw.

Sinner will skip the first round thanks to the ‘bye’ reserved for the top eight seed: in the second round the South Tyrolean will face the winner of the challenge between Alex Michelsen, already beaten twice out of two in his career, and Zizou Bergs, currently number 40 in the world rankings. The other Italian player already in the second round is Lorenzo Musetti: a possible derby for him, should Lorenzo Sonego beat his opponent (from the qualifiers) in his debut match.

Net of other entries right through the preliminary draw, Italy counts two more athletes in Paris-Bercy: Luciano Darderi will face wild card Arthur Cazaux in the first round (to then find, in case of victory, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Ugo Humbert), while Flavio Cobolli will face Tomas Machac (in case of victory, the pairing with Ben Shelton, number 5 seed is already certain).

At the top end is the’other highly anticipated star, Carlos Alcaraz: the Murcian, who as No. 1 seed will skip the opening round, will play in the second round against the winner of the challenge between Cameron Norrie and Sebastian Baez. The clash with Jannik Sinner could only come in one case, with both outfielders reaching the finals.