Daniil Medvedev’s reign as World No. 1 is over – for now, at least. The Russian, who took over the top spot from Novak Djokovic last month, will drop down in the ATP Rankings after losing in the third round of the 2022 BNP Paribas Open to veteran Gael Monfils.
Medvedev joins fellow ATP stars Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas in making an early exit at Indian Wells, which leaves Rafael Nadal – who remains perfect in 2022 – as the only top-5 player left standing.
Read on below as SBOTOP delivers the latest news and updates from the men’s singles tournament of the BNP Paribas Open.
Monfils knocks Daniil Medvedev out of No. 1 ATP Ranking
Daniil Medvedev is set to drop down from the No. 1 spot in the ATP Rankings after his shock loss to Gael Monfils in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.
The Russian, who was playing in his first tournament since claiming the top spot from Djokovic a few weeks ago, failed to live up to the hype as he fell to the 35-year-old Frenchman Monfils, 4-6 6-3 6-1.
But despite his defeat dropping him from the No. 1 ranking, Medvedev chose to look on the bright side of things.
“Is it better to be No. 1 for, let’s say one week in your life, or never touch it?” Medvedev said post-match. “I think it’s still better to at least touch it.”
Medvedev then turned his attention to the upcoming Miami Open, where he can reclaim the No. 1 ranking if he reaches the semi-finals.
“Well, now I know I’m going to lose it,” he said, “so I have Miami to try to get it back. Usually feeling a little bit better in Miami in terms of tennis, so we’ll try to play good there.”
On the other side, Monfils was understandably pleased that he toppled the reigning world No. 1 for just the second time in his career.
“I’m quite happy right now – I’m in my zone,” Monfils said. “I moved quite good and then I changed the speed quite a lot.
“I knew I was in great shape and tough to beat,” he added. “It’s always special to beat a world No 1.”
Monfils will move on to the round of 16, where he will meet Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz beat countryman Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 6-0 in the previous round.
Rafael Nadal remains perfect in 2022
Speaking of Spaniards, world No. 4 Rafael Nadal continued his amazing form in 2022. The 35-year-old improved to a perfect 17-0 this calendar year as he beat Britain’s Dan Evans in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.
With the win, Nadal also made history by becoming the first man to reach 400 singles wins at ATP Masters events.
“It’s an important victory against a tricky opponent,” Nadal said. “It’s not an easy opponent to play. He plays tactically very well, using very well his slice, then playing aggressive, changing rhythms on the points.”
After missing most of last season due to injury, Nadal has been back to his best to start this year. He has already won three titles this season, including the Australian Open – the record-setting 21st Grand Slam title of his career.
Nadal will face 17th-seeded American Reilly Opelka in the round of 16. Opelka needed to come back from a set down to beat 13th seed Denis Shapovalov in the previous round.
Tsitsipas, Ruud add to list of top players knocked out
Daniil Medvedev’s defeat is only one of a handful of surprising BNP Paribas 2022 results in the first few rounds.
World No. 3 Alexander Zverev lost his very first match in the second round against to American Tommy Paul, 2-6, 6-4, 6-7(2). Stefanos Tsitsipas followed shortly thereafter as he lost to American Jenson Brooksby, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. Nick Kyrgios then went out and beat No. 8 seed Casper Ruud in straight sets.
Kyrgios took great pleasure in beating Ruud, with whom he has some history with. The two last met in the 2019 Italian Open, a match which saw Kyrgios default himself after throwing a chair onto the court. He and Ruud have been trading barbs ever since. But Kyrgios got his revenge on the court with a dominant showing that saw him win after just 76 minutes.
Meanwhile, Tsitsipas is still searching for his first title of the season. He lost in the semi-finals twice – to Medvedev in the Australian Open and to Cameron Norrie in Acapulco – and fell in the final at Rotterdam to Felix Auger Aliassime.
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