Andrey Rublev vs. Learner Tien
American teenager Learner Tien arrives at the Rolex Paris Masters carrying significant momentum from the best month of his career. The promising young player recently reached the final in Beijing and the round of 16 in Shanghai, demonstrating his potential as a rising threat on the tour. While still seeking his first title, Tien’s trajectory is impressive; his first-round exit at the U.S. Open came from an unfortunate draw against eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
He faces Andrey Rublev, who has been on a difficult run of form. After reaching the fourth round of the U.S. Open, the Russian went winless in the four subsequent tournaments he entered. The two players have met twice before, splitting a pair of matches during this summer’s hard-court season. Despite Rublev’s higher ranking and greater experience, Tien’s current form makes this a compelling and winnable contest for the American.
Jaume Munar vs. Daniil Medvedev
Former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev has had a volatile year, with his ranking dipping to No. 18 after winning only a single match across the four major tournaments. However, he has staged a powerful comeback this autumn, reaching the semifinals in both Beijing and Shanghai before winning his first title of the year in Almaty. This resurgence has seen his ranking climb back to No. 13.
On Tuesday, Medvedev will face Jaume Munar, who defeated him at the Miami Masters in March. Munar possesses a consistent style that can challenge Medvedev, but that victory occurred when the Russian was experiencing a significant dip in form. With Medvedev now playing with renewed confidence and precision, he enters this rematch as the clear favorite.
