Injury puts Nadal’s London appearance in doubt

Rafael Nadal’s participation at the ATP Finals in London could be in doubt after he pulled out of the Paris Masters yesterday with knee problems.

The world No 1 had his right knee strapped during his third-round win over Pablo Cuevas on Thursday and struggled with his movement.

Nadal played down the issue after the match but withdrew ahead of his scheduled quarter-final against Filip Krajinovic.

In a press conference shown on Sky Sports, Nadal said: “The pain during the match was too much but it was not the moment to stop.

“I don’t like to stop during the match, even if I’ve had to do it a couple of times in my life. Especially winning the match, thinking I have some hours in between to do some treatment.

“That’s what I did yesterday with the doctor. But being honest with the tournament, being honest with my opponents and being honest with myself, the way that I am today, I don’t see myself playing three more matches here.”

Juan Martin del Potro’s surge towards the ATP Finals fell agonisingly short when he was beaten in the Paris quarter-finals by John Isner.

Victory for Del Potro, who was well out of the race before reaching the US Open semi-finals, would have assured him of one of the eight spots in London but he came up just short, losing 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 to Isner, and the only way he could now play at the O2 would be if Nadal or one of the other competitors withdrew.

Isner’s victory kept alive his own chances. Winning the title would see him overtake Pablo Carreno Busta, who currently sits in the final qualifying spot.