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Tsitsipas has reached the Paris semifinals in
the last two years and needs another deep run to have a chance
of qualifying for the ATP finals tournament for the top eight
players in Turin next month.
But he said his stomach problem created a “second battle” in
addition to his opponent.
“I couldn’t even pump myself up at the beginning of the match,
because when something is bothering you that much, it takes your
entire concentration and focus," Tsitsipas said.
American Tommy Paul's hopes of qualifying for Turin ended with a
6-3, 7-5 loss to French veteran Adrian Mannarino.
Earlier, local favorite Hugo Humbert needed more than two hours
to beat the 35th-ranked Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Humbert, who saved two break points in the decider, extended his
unbeaten record against Nakashima to 3-0. He will next take on
another American player, Marcos Giron, who defeated Shang
Juncheng 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6).
Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor also advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win
over Luciano Darderi — setting up a second-round meeting with
third-seeded Alexander Zverev — and Tomas Martin Etcheverry of
Argentina beat Zhang Zhizhen 6-3, 7-6 (6). Etcheverry will next
face Grigor Dimitrov.
Among those progressing Monday were also Francisco Cerundolo of
Argentina, Arthur Rinderknech of France and Australian Jordan
Thompson.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic is skipping the tournament
this year. Jannik Sinner, who is guaranteed to finish the year
at the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings, is the top-seeded player
in Paris.
Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Zverev and Daniil Medvedev have already
secured their spot at the ATP finals from Nov. 10-17.
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