Grigor Dimitrov's Paris Masters return ends in disaster, withdraws from Daniil Medvedev clash

Grigor Dimitrov has seen his return to the court end in disaster of sorts after a fourth month injury lay-off with the popular Bulgarian withdrawing hours before he was due to face Daniil Medvedev.

Dimitrov showed glimmers of hope as he saw off Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in impressive fashion. He also played in doubles with Nicolas Mahut in doubles on Tuesday as Mahut officially ended his career with a three-set loss in the first round.

Dimitrov had previously not played since he was forced to retire in the fourth round of Wimbledon while he was leading Jannik Sinner by two sets to love. He picked up a pectoral injury and was in tears as he called it quits. But his injury comeback started all smiles and ended in disappointment as he couldn't face the former champion.

"Unfortunately, Grigor Dimitrov has pulled out from the singles draw. It was great seeing you back on court Grigor," the tournament wrote on social media.

Dimitrov was due to face Medvedev in the third match on Court One on Wednesday. His withdrawal was announced during the second match up so would've been a late decision on the part of Dimitrov. It means that Medvedev who won the title in 2020 will reach the last 16 via walk-over. It gives him a lifeline after he lost out in 2022, 2023 and 2024 in the opening round. He ended that losing run when he beat Jaume Munar 6-1, 6-3 on Tuesday.

Dimitrov has not entered into either Metz or Athens next week so his comeback this season is likely over and he will look towards the Australian Open next year for a full comeback. But he showed glimmers of hope against Mpetshi Perricard, a win he didn't particularly expect.

"I didn’t know what to expect, if I have to be completely honest," Dimitrov explained.

"All I knew is that I had to look on my side of the net and really control what I could, and that was my serve, the way I was reading the game and playing my shots.

"In the tiebreak, anything could have happened. I missed those two fairly easy forehands, had to stay within myself, I knew I’m going to get another chance. All that, again, comes from the experience, but I really had not much of an expectation from myself."