Medvedev shocked in Paris

The Russian lost his second-round match against Australia’s Alex de Minaur in France

Former champion Daniil Medvedev suffered a shock defeat at the ATP Paris Masters 1000 on Wednesday, losing a three-set battle against Australian rival Alex de Minaur.

Fourth seed Medvedev slumped to a 4-6 6-2 5-7 loss in the French capital against his world number 25 opponent.

After winning his second tour title of the season in Vienna at the weekend, Medvedev never fully found his rhythm in a war of attrition with De Minaur, who had previously not beaten a top-five player in 18 attempts.

Medvedev dropped the opening set 4-6 after being broken in game ten, but the Russian responded immediately by breaking his rival at the first time of asking to start the second set. Medvedev converted another break point in game seven before seeing out the set 6-2.

The Russian repeated the trick to break the De Minaur serve at the start of the decisive third set, but the Australian, 23, demonstrated he was far from done by breaking Medvedev again to level at 2-2.

Medvedev spurned a break opportunity in game nine but was then forced to save two match points on his own serve before leveling at 5-5.

De Minaur continued to turn the screws, finally making the breakthrough when a frustrated Medvedev double-faulted on match point at 5-6 down. 

DEMON BREAKS THROUGH