Rolex Paris Masters: Davidovich Fokina Overcomes Royer and Joins Cazaux in the Second Round

In the final first-round match in Paris, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina eliminated Valentin Royer, a lucky loser.

A recent finalist at the ATP 500 tournament in Basel, Davidovich Fokina returned to the tour this Tuesday for the first round of the Paris Masters 1000. Initially scheduled to face Ugo Humbert, the Spaniard saw the Frenchman withdraw on Monday.

The defending finalist of this tournament, the 27-year-old Humbert had suffered a back injury in Basel and retired against this same Davidovich Fokina late last week. Consequently, another French player, Valentin Royer, was given a reprieve.

Beaten by Sebastian Korda in the final round of qualifying on Sunday, the world No. 59 had a second chance to shine in this tournament, now held at La Défense Arena.

On Court 1, the 24-year-old was counting on the support of his home crowd to pull off a major upset. The start of the match was promising, especially as Royer, solid on his service games (no break points conceded in the first set), broke his opponent's serve to wrap up the opening set.

But the reaction from the world No. 15 was clinical. Taking a five-game lead in the second set, the Spaniard logically forced a decisive third set. Although Royer held his own to lead 3-2, he then lost four of the final five games.

After a battle lasting nearly two hours, it was ultimately Davidovich Fokina who prevailed (4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in 1h58). The 26-year-old player will face Arthur Cazaux on Court 2 on Wednesday, aiming to reach the round of 16.