Rafael Nadal loses to Thomas Paul at Paris Masters
World number 31 Paul came from a set down to beat Nadal 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-1.
Defeat for Nadal, who has battled an abdominal injury since the summer, saw his hopes of ending the year as world number one suffer a considerable blow.
Britons Dan Evans and Jack Draper were also eliminated in the second round.
Nadal, 36, has only played once - a Laver Cup doubles match alongside Roger Federer - since losing in the fourth round of the US Open in early September.
He faded towards the end of the second set against Paul, 25, who secured one of the wins of his career.
The Paris Masters is the final regular ATP Tour event of the season before the ATP finals get underway in Turin on 13 November.
Both titles are missing from 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal's illustrious trophy cabinet.
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