Mannarino's magical performance against Paul at Paris-Bercy!

Adrian Mannarino defied all the odds to qualify for the 2nd round of the Rolex Paris Masters 2024 on Monday. Supported by a packed Centre Court despite the late hour, the 36-year-old Frenchman played a magnificent match to spring a surprise against Tommy Paul, world n°12.

He won in less than two hours (6-3, 7-5) and will now face Richard Gasquet or Zizou Bergs for a place in the last 16.

Nothing could have predicted such a performance from Mannarino. After a good result at the Australian Open in January (Round of 16), he endured a catastrophic season, winning just 4 of the 25 matches he played on the ATP Tour between the beginning of February and the end of August. He plummeted from 17th to 58th in the world (his current ranking).

Even grass, his favorite surface, wasn't enough to revive him, and he hit rock bottom during the summer with a series of 10 consecutive defeats. He started to win a few matches and regain his form at the beginning of September, but no one expected him to be back on form on Monday.

With his dazzling movements and enterprising play, the Frenchman regularly outpaced the American. He did a lot of damage with his short crosscourt shots, both backhand and forehand. And he took his chances on the important points, like his winning return of serve on 1st set point, or his superb defense on match point (see video highlights of Day 1 below).

It's enough to put a smile on your face and give meaning to all the efforts you've made to get back to your best. With perhaps a gala match to come on Wednesday against Richard Gasquet, to the delight of their Parisian fans.