Tennis LIVE: Novak Djokovic risks causing a stir as Paris Masters star suddenly retires

just now14:30 Yasmin Syed

It's tiebreak time on Court Central!

Novak Djokovic has just saved three set points, serving at 5-6 (0-40) down against Valentin Vacherot.

He's got a huge grin on his face, levelling the score at 6-6 with a stunning dropshot at the net.

19 mins ago14:11 Yasmin Syed

Former world No. 6 Matteo Berrettini reached the quarter-finals in Vienna last week.

And the Italian is eyeing another deep run here in Paris.

He's on course to cause an upset, as he leads 14th seed Brandon Nakashima 6-4 over on Court 2.

What a match for your money on that smaller court. It's the third-biggest at the tournament, and they've already seen Rublev vs Etcheverry today too.

43 mins ago13:47 Yasmin Syed

Novak Djokovic is out on Court Central for his first-round clash with Valentin Vacherot.

This is the Serb's first time playing in the La Defense Arena.

He's not competed in the Paris Masters since 2023, back when the tournament was still staged at the Accor Arena in Bercy.

Vacherot is full of confidence after winning the ATP 500 title in Basel just two days ago. And he has a 1-0 record against Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic is playing the Paris Masters for the first time since 2023 (Image: Getty)

51 mins ago13:39 Yasmin Syed

Adolfo Daniel Vallejo also got into the Paris Masters as a lucky loser today after Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew.

The Paraguayan ace was on the cusp of defeat against No. 15 seed Learner Tien, who just served for the match at 5-4 in the second set.

But Vallejo has won four games in a row to take the second 7-5, forcing a decider.

1 hour ago13:26 Yasmin Syed

Nuno Borges only found out that he'd gotten into the Paris Masters draw this morning, coming in as a lucky loser to replace Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who withdrew.

But he's made the most of his second chance, beating home hope Moise Kouame 6-3 6-1 in an hour to reach round two.

It means Novak Djokovic vs Valentin Vacherot is up next on Court Central.

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1 hour ago13:07 Yasmin Syed

Andrey Rublev suffered a shock opening-round defeat over on the small Court 2, going down in a final-set tiebreak.

The Russian lost 6-4 6-7(4) 7-6(3) to Tomas Martin Etcheverry and then smashed his racket against his foot multiple times.

Andrey Rublev smashed his racket against his foot (Image: Tennis TV)

2 hours ago12:36 Charlie Malam

We're underway on Centre Court, where Nuno Borges faces France's Moise Kouame.

They're currently tied 2-2 in the first set.

Novak Djokovic will be out on court against Monegasque Valentin Vacherot once Borges vs Kouame is settled.

2 hours ago12:10 Charlie Malam

A sad finish to the match between Francisco Cerundolo and Arthur Rinderknech.

The Argentine 16th seed has been forced to retire while trailing by a set and a break in the third set due to injury.

The score was 3-6, 7-6, 2-0 at the time.

Rinderknech will now face Mattia Bellucci in round two.

3 hours ago11:48 Charlie Malam

It's disappointment for British No.1 Arthur Fery.

The 24-year-old, who this week you voted Great Britain's best tennis player right now, loses in straight sets.

Frenchman Quentin Halys beats the Brit 7-6, 7-5 on Court 1.

Cam Norrie will hope to fare better than Fery when he looks to pull off an upset against Ben Shelton later on.

Arthur Fery has just lost to Quentin Halys (Image: Getty)

3 hours ago11:23 Charlie Malam

So what are some of the matches we have to look forward to today?

Here's four we're excited for...

[10] Novak Djokovic vs Valentin Vacherot

[3] Ben Shelton vs Cameron Norrie

[12] Tommy Paul vs Holger Rune

Casper Ruud vs Rafael Jodar [9]

3 hours ago11:09 Charlie Malam

There's a long list of top players missing the Paris Masters...

- Jannik Sinner (knee injury)

- Flavio Cobolli (leg injury)

- Felix Auger-Aliassime (knee injury)

- Alexander Blockx (ankle injury)

- Alexander Bublik (knee injury)

- Joao Fonseca (unspecified injury)

- Stefanos Tsitsipas (shoulder injury)

- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (back injury)

- Jakub Mensik (head injury)

- Corentin Moutet (unspecified injury)

Jannik Sinner is one of the players missing the Paris Masters (Image: Getty)

3 hours ago11:03 Charlie Malam

British No.1 Arthur Fery has just gone a set down after losing the opener to Quentin Halys.

While 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo is a set up on Arthur Rinderknech. That match is currently 2-2 in the second set.

Andrey Rublev has just lost his opening set 6-4 to Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

In Hong Kong, top seed Sorana Cirstea is fighting to stay in the tournament after losing the second set 6-1.

Seventh seed Liudmila Samsonova is a set to the good against Alexandra Shubladze.

4 hours ago10:50 Charlie Malam

With the news that Flavio Cobolli, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina all won't play in Paris, their replacements have been confirmed.

Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante has been drafted in for Cobolli but gets a first-round bye.

The lucky loser will play the winner of the Jan-Lennard Struff vs Arthur Gea match.

Adolfo Daniel Vallejo replaces Tsitsipas and will take on American Learner Tien today.

While Nuno Borges takes Davidovich Fokina's spot and will face Moise Kouame today.

4 hours ago10:42 Charlie Malam

World No.6 Flavio Cobolli is not the only big name to pull out of the Paris Masters in the last 24 hours.

Cobolli, who retired against Matteo Berrettini in Vienna last week, said: "I was really hoping I'd make it.

"Today, after media day, I tried to work out at the gym, but I'm still feeling a bit sore and I don't want to risk it. That's why I decided not to play here in Paris."

Now, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina have also withdrawn due to shoulder and back injuries respectively.

Tsitsipas was due to play 15th seed Learner Tien while Davidovich Fokina would have faced Moise Kouame in the first round.

Flavio Cobolli will not play in Paris (Image: Getty)

4 hours ago10:38 Charlie Malam

Novak Djokovic has spoken out after former Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat to a student-led protest movement in snap parliamentary elections.

Last week, Djokovic praised the Student List for creating a "sense of pride" in Serbia.

It comes a year after the 39-year-old and his family left his hometown of Belgrade for Athens, Greece.

Although Djokovic never publicly spoke out against Vucic or his party, the 39-year-old was said to be a target for the Serbian government.

And Djokovic has now seemingly confirmed that he was at odds with Vucic's leadership. He said: "I have always represented my people and not the government."

Asked what it felt like to be criticised by those in power in Serbia, Djokovic added: "Yeah, look, I'm not gonna discuss or comment on the past.

"You know, past is past. Hopefully this is a fresh start for the country.

"Yes, I am patriotic, but I have always represented my people and not the government. There is a big difference in that.

"Yeah, so I'm happy with these changes, and hopefully, you know, things will be great and prosperous for our country in the future."

4 hours ago10:30 Charlie Malam

Good morning! 

Welcome to Express Sport's latest live blog with plenty of action at the Paris Masters and the WTA Hong Kong Open.

We'll bring you all the big stories throughout the day.