Paris Masters Round-Up: Andrey Rublev snaps losing streak, as Norrie overcomes early blip against Baez

The Paris Masters began this Monday with its Day One and first-round matches taking place in the new venues of La Défense Arena, featuring several notable players taking the court. The Brit Cameron Norrie took a straightforward victory against Sebastian Baez, while Andrey Rublev also secured a win.

On the other hand, the recent Shanghai Masters runner-up Arthur Rinderknech – who obtained a wildcard – secured another victory, in his return to the courts after the campaign in China, and could have a rematch with his cousin Valentin Vacherot in the second round.

Cameron Norrie overcame Argentine Sebastian Baez 6-3, 6-4 to reach his 29th victory of the season and secure his return to the top-30. The 30-year-old Brit looked comfortable on the Parisian indoor surface and took the lead from the start, with an early break and good service games that put him ahead 3-0. The South American responded, taking the next three games consecutively to tie 3-3, but the inspiration didn't last long, as Norrie got back to work and secured the second break in the 8th game – before closing the set 6-3.

In the second set, things took a similar tone to the first, with Norrie achieving two early breaks and taking a 3-0 advantage. The former world No. 8 strung together 6 consecutive games in his favor and with a double break advantage, it seemed only a matter of time before he closed out the victory. Baez, for his part, managed to recover one of the breaks against him and put pressure on his opponent. Norrie saved a 0-40 when serving at 5-4, and after saving four break points, he ended up taking the victory on his first match point 6-3, 6-4. In the second round, he will face none other than world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, against whom he has a 2-5 head-to-head record.

Arthur Rinderknech (No. 29) remains in a state of inspiration and secured a tight victory in his first appearance since the Shanghai Masters. This time he defeated Hungarian Fabian Marozsan (No. 48) in two close tie-breaks, marking his 6th win in his last 7 matches. The Frenchman was especially effective with his serve – recording 16 aces against 5 for his opponent and winning 80% of points with his first serve, compared to 72% for Marozsan.

The first set saw an early break for the Hungarian, who led 5-2 in the set. However, Rinderknech would react, recovering the break, saving a set point against him, and eventually sending everything to the tie-break in a strong comeback, where he came back from 3-5 down – winning the last four points consecutively to secure the set 7-6(5). In the second set, the differences were minimal, and there were no breaks for either player, although Marozsan did have to save several break points. In the tie-break, the Hungarian again squandered a mini-break advantage, and this time Rinderknech overturned a 2-4 deficit, winning the last 5 points consecutively to take the set and the victory 7-6(5), 7-6(4) after more than two hours.

In the second round, he could face his cousin Valentin Vacherot – in what would be a repeat of the Shanghai final – although the Monegasque must first overcome his debut against 14th seed Jiri Lehecka.

Andrey Rublev (No. 17) managed to secure a victory in Europe again, following his early exit at the Vienna Open – where he was eliminated in the first round by Norrie. The Russian had been on a four-match losing streak in first rounds since the US Open (where he reached the Round of 16). This time, he achieved a victory that restores his confidence against Brit Jacob Fearnley (No. 78), in a performance marked by the Brit No. 3's 11 double faults.

Rublev maintained composure on his serve throughout the match, winning 69% of service points against only 48% for Fearnley, and took the victory 6-1, 6-4, in an imposing display from the former world No. 5. Rublev secured three breaks in the first set and two more in the second to ensure a straightforward win – also marked by Fearnley's 19 unforced errors against only 5 for Rublev. In the second round, he will face the American 19-year-old, Learner Tien.