Rolex Paris Masters 2025, Bercy, France - ATP Masters 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

Vacherot beat Norrie. The guy is really showing that his Shanghai win wasn't a total fluke. He's now up to #29 in the Race rankings and should be seeded for the AO now.

Why does he only show up in a Masters 1000 tournament, I find that really strange, I am not doubting his ability also he is kind of a late bloomer dont you think

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

After Bublik complaining these indoors courts are the 'slowest he has ever played on' he takes out the No 4 seed Fritz in straight sets 76(5) 62 to make his first Masters QF since 2021
5th top 10 win of 2025
Bublik is 29-4 since RG.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Alex de Minaur (6) d KAA 62 62 (10)
Alex has now qualified for the ATP finals, 2nd year in a row.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

BTW,
Felix, Vacherot, Bublik, de Minaur, one of them will reach the Paris Final!

 

[El Dude]

Why does he only show up in a Masters 1000 tournament, I find that really strange, I am not doubting his ability also he is kind of a late bloomer dont you think

He's absolutely a late bloomer, and I don't expect him to be an elite player. But he's basically gone from being a Challenger type to a top 30 guy in one tournament. Before Shanghai, he had played in just six ATP level tournaments: One in 2023, three in 2024, and Paris is his fifth of 2025. I'm curious how he'll do next year, when he's playing only ATP level tournaments. Who knows, maybe he can spend the next few years as a "third tier" top 11-30 type.

Anyhow, I haven't exhaustively looked, but in terms of number of ATP tournaments played, I'm guessing he's by the far the quickest to winning a big title: Shanghai being his seventh. Even the flukiest Masters winner ever, Roberto Carretero, didn't win his until his 18th tournament. Boris Becker won WImbledon as his 25th tournament, right after his first title at Queen's Club. Rafa won Monte-Carlo as his 39th tournament. Borg won Rome as his 49th, McEnroe won SF as his 30th, and Alcaraz won Miami as his 24th. All of those greats were teenagers, of course.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Merdvedev came back down a set to defeat Sonego 36 76(5) 64
Sinner d Cerundolo 75 61, Sinner was flat in the 1st set, picked up his level in the 2nd set, his first time to make the QFs in Paris

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Fonseca has ended his season, after withdrawing from the Athens Open, ( also withdrew from Metz)
I feel it is a good decision, he can use the extra week rest ahead of the 2026 season, he will be seeded for the AO 2026 ( hopefully he will be around when I attend the AO in 2026, quite excited to watch him play 'live')

 

[Moxie]

Merdvedev came back down a set to defeat Sonego 36 76(5) 64
Sinner d Cerundolo 75 61, Sinner was flat in the 1st set, picked up his level in the 2nd set, his first time to make the QFs in Paris

He seemed more than just flat. Jason Goodall was frankly wondering if something was wrong with him. But Cerundolo couldn't capitalize, then let Jannik run away with it. He's looked off in a few matches.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

He seemed more than just flat. Jason Goodall was frankly wondering if something was wrong with him. But Cerundolo couldn't capitalize, then let Jannik run away with it. He's looked off in a few matches.

Jannik broke twice in the 1st set and had his chances to win the first set comfortably I don't think he let Jannik run away with the match at all
Jannik said after the match he felt it wasn't physical match and looks forward to the QF where he will have to lift his game

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

QFs,
Friday 31st October,
Starts at 2pm local time,

FAA (9) vs Vacherot WC First meeting
de Minaur (6) vs Bublik (13) Alex leads their H2H 3-1

Not before 7pm local time,
Sinner (2) vs Shelton (5) Sinner leads their H2H 6-1
Followed by,
Zverev (3) vs Medvedev Medvedev leads their H2H 14-7

 

[Kieran]

Alcaraz cant be tired this was his first tournament back he didnt play Basel or Vienna it was the conditions of the court slow and low bouncing. and not a lot of margin for error,, he was not comfortable with and made 54 UFE in 3 sets, Cam Norrie held his nerve and won,

I remember my record was 54 UFE's in one game, which I lost to love...

 

[Moxie]

QFs,
Friday 31st October,
Starts at 2pm local time,

FAA (9) vs Vacherot WC First meeting
de Minaur (6) vs Bublik (13) Alex leads their H2H 3-1

Not before 7pm local time,
Sinner (2) vs Shelton (5) Sinner leads their H2H 6-1
Followed by,
Zverev (3) vs Medvedev Medvedev leads their H2H 14-7

I like Vacherot's chances v FAA, probably de Minaur over Bublik, and Zverev over Meddie, based on form. Sinner loses to Shelton only if he's really got a physical issue.

 

[Moxie]

I like Vacherot's chances v FAA, probably de Minaur over Bublik, and Zverev over Meddie, based on form. Sinner loses to Shelton only if he's really got a physical issue.

OK, my first prediction was completely wrong.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I had computer problems finally back on line

I thought Felix would have a good chance to beat Vacherot, 62 62, his indoor record is a good one for starters,
Felix had 22 W to 10 UFE, his net play could have been better won 9/19, first serve 69%, winning 82% of those and 75% of 2nd serves.
Felix keeps his Turin hopes alive, ( he is also on the entry list to play Metz)

 

[El Dude]

Felix has been playing really well of late. I hope it isn't just his typical indoor bump, but might be a step forward. I've long tempered my expectations about his upside, but I do still think he's got a chance of winning a Masters or two. Now that Ruud and Shelton have won Masters, among those currently without a big title, he's up there with De Minaur among my most likely next new big title winners. We're in an era where a solid player can go on a good run and win a Masters. We've seen guys like Carreno Busta, Coric, Popyrin, and now Vacherot win. FAA and De Minaur are better overall players than those guys.

On the other hand, I can see De Minaur getting "Nishikori-ed" and never winning a big title. Demon doesn't play in the Big Four era, so will have more opportunities. In theory. But he's now in the latter half of his 20s, and young guys are coming up.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

With Felix in touching distance in the ATP finals race, Musetti has taken a WC into Athens ( Felix is playing Metz)
BTW from Marca,
Alcaraz will travel to Turin on Wednesday November 5, to practice on a court similar to the ones used in Finals and DC., with JCF and Lopez with him.

 

[Moxie]

I'm batting a 1000 in my predictions so far! Bublik just beat de Minaur.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I'm batting a 1000 in my predictions so far! Bublik just beat de Minaur.

Give up while you are behind ok

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Bublik comes back to defeat de Minaur 67(5) 64 75
Reached the biggest SF of his life in Paris
Getting closer and closer to the Top 10!
BTW,
Bublik has more wins than losses against Top Ten in 2025 ( 6-5)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I suppose Vacherot could be up for the Most Improved Player of the Year award in 2025
Still I want to see how he fares outside Masters 1000 tournaments,
Next year will be a 'telling year' for the Frenchman