Nadal pulls out of Paris, Djokovic number one
PARIS: Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Paris Masters on Wednesday guaranteeing Novak Djokovic’s return to world number one spot.
Announcing his withdrawal at a hastily arranged press conference Nadal said: “My abdominal muscles haven’t felt good for the past few days, especially on serve, doctors recommended that I didn’t play.”
Djokovic arrived in Paris knowing that he would regain the top spot he relinquished two years ago if he bettered the Spaniard’s performance at theindooreventhehaswonfourtimes.
The Wimbledon and US Open champion becomes the first player to start the season outside the top 20 and end up top of the ATP rankings since Marat Safin in 2000.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion had begun his pursuit of the top spot in encouraging fashion with a 7-5, 6-1 defeat of Joao Sousa on Tuesday, his 19th consecutive win.
For Nadal it means delaying his long awaited comeback from injury which has kept him sidelined since the US Open. Nadal was forced to withdraw from his US Open semifinal against Juan Martin del Potro in early September with a knee injury.
The problem sidelined him for Spain’s Davis Cup semi-final against France, and also from tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai.
NISHIKORI WINS
Japanese player Kei Nishikori advanced to the Paris Masters third round on Wednesday after defeating Adrian Mannarino of France 7-5, 6-4.
World No. 11 Nishikori needed one hour and 28 minutes to win his first career encounter with Mannarino, World No. 46, reports Efe.
Howfarnishikoriadvancesinparis will determine whether he secures a place in the ATP Finals.
Also Wednesday, John Isner of the Unitedstatesemergedvictoriousover Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-1), booking a place in the third round.
DIMITROV HIRES AGASSI
Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov hailed US legend Andre Agassi as “amazing” after hiring the former world number one and eight-time major winner to work with him at the Paris Masters.
Dimitrov, who reached the third round in the French capital for the sixth straight year on Wednesday by beating Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 (12/10), 6-4, said it was possible he could form a longer-term relationship with Agassi.
“He’s amazing. I couldn’t think of a better guy, sharing thoughts, feelings, emotions, on and off the court. I just believe that he has gone through so much overall with the ups and downs andallthat,”said27-year-olddimitrov.