PARIS – Jannik Sinner defeated Francisco Cerundro 7-5, 6-1 in the third round of the Paris Masters on Thursday, extending his indoor winning streak to 23 matches and maintaining his chances of reclaiming the top spot.
The four-time Grand Slam champion needs to win a tournament to take over the top spot from Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner’s quarterfinal opponent on Friday will be Ben Shelton.
The fifth-seeded American defeated 12th-seeded Andrei Rublev 7-6 (6), 6-3 to qualify for the season-ending eight-a-side ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.
Sinner is aiming for his fifth title this year and 23rd overall. He won the ATP 500 tournament in Vienna last Sunday despite suffering from cramps.
“I hope I can recover physically, but that’s my number one priority,” Sinner said ahead of his eighth fight against Shelton. “Today was a great game and a great performance for me.”
He leads Shelton at 6-1 overall.
Later on Thursday, defending champion Alexander Zverev faced Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Already this month, Bashro made a spectacular escape from qualifying and won the Shanghai Masters, clinching the first title of his career. He defeated 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and his cousin Arthur Rinderknecke in the final.
“I wasn’t expecting it at all,” Vashlot said. “I’m glad I keep coming here, maybe I’m enjoying the games more than in Shanghai.”
The 40th-ranked Bachelot, from Monaco, defeated Rinderkneck again in the second round here in Paris, setting up a fight with Nolley after the British fighter eliminated Alcaraz.
Bashro hit five aces and saved all five break points against Norrie, who dropped serve once.
Bachelot will next face No. 9 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who defeated Daniel Altmaier 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The victory kept Auger-Aliassime’s chances of advancing to the final eight-a-side tournament of the season, the ATP Finals, to be held in Turin, Italy.
Auger-Aliassime will only leapfrog Lorenzo Musetti if he reaches the final in Paris.
