Paris Masters star loses shoe and falls to the ground at crucial moment in grudge match

Corentin Moutet's shoe flew off mid-rally at a crucial moment in his second-round clash with Alexander Bublik at the Paris Masters, The last time these two met, there were fireworks. Bublik won their Phoenix Challenger quarter-final in March, and then invited Moutet to go outside and "fight". They had to be separated by the umpire and supervisor.

Since then, they've both risen up the rankings to career-high positions, and they're now facing off at the La Defense Arena. Moutet had opportunities to break in the eighth game of the second set, but he lost his shoe during the game and ended up on the floor.

Moutet was out for revenge after losing to Bublik in Phoenix earlier this year. He lost the first set 6-3 but still produced some statement stuff, hitting only two unforced errors in the set.

The Frenchman stepped it up in a tight second set, and finally created his first break point opportunity of the match while Bublik was serving at 3-4 down. But it was saved, and the game went on.

Moutet continued to try and apply pressure in the Kazakh's service game. But at deuce, when he was looking to set up another break point, he jumped to reach the ball and his shoe came off. The world No. 32 went down to the ground and scrunched up his face in disappointment as he put his shoe back on.

"He's tried to go right handed, and he might need a new pair of shoes here! Putting everything on the line, mopping up the sweat as well at the back of the court there," Adam Fielder said on commentary.

Just a few moments earlier, the French star needed extra time during one of the changeovers when his shoelaces broke, and he had to change his shoes altogether.

Bublik was able to get out of the game unscathed, and then it was his turn to put Moutet in a tough spot. The Kazakh had a staggeting seven break point chances in the next game.

But Moutet saved them all, touching his chest and punching his fists in celebration as he came through a 13-minute service game to lead 5-4.

Moutet found himself facing more break points in his next sevice game. This time, Bublik pounced, firing a forehand winner down the line to give himself the opportunity to serve for the match, while the Frenchman muttered towards his box.

Frustrations continued to spill over for the world No. 32, who threw his racket after losing the first point in Bublik's next service game, and received a code violation for racket abuse.

There was nothing Moutet could do, and Bublik sealed a 6-3 7-5 victory. Their handshake was very different this time around, as the Kazakh smiled at his opponent before thanking the umpire and walking to the centre of the court to wave to the crowd. He then applauded Moutet as he left the court.

But it wouldn't be a Bublik match without a small dig. He wrote "on the way home" on the camera lens in celebration, as Fielder and co-commentator Gilles Muller questioned whether he was taking shots at Moutet.

"I think that is what Moutet said at the start of the match, that he was going to try and "send him home". It's not Bublik on his way home!" Fielder joked. He was correct, and Bublik brutally said he "punished" Moutet for his comments during a fiery post-match interview.