Federer says he is fit enough to compete in Paris Masters after three-year absence
Roger Federer on Tuesday confirmed his participation at this year’s Paris Masters after missing the last three tournaments.
The Swiss world No 3 will play the winner of the tie between France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Canada’s Milos Raonic today after receiving a bye in the first round.
“I prefer playing to training as long as I don’t take any risks ahead of the London Masters,” Federer said in reference to the November 11-18 event.
“I feel like I’ve recovered well after last week. I feel good today [Tuesday],” he added after winning the Swiss indoor championships in Basel on Sunday.
Federer’s only tournament victory in Bercy came in 2011. On his last appearance in 2015 he was knocked out by American Jon Isner in the last 16.
Meanwhile, French hopes of success took a blow when Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Jeremy Chardy and Benoit Paire were knocked-out in the first round yesterday.
World No 57 Herbert was beaten by Kazakhstan’s Mikail Kukushkin 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 while Jeremy Chardy, ranked 40th, lost 6-4, 6-4 to Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.
The 56th-ranked Paire made the opening round through the qualifiers but lost 6-4, 6-4 to Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics.
There was some cheer for the home fans though as Richard Gasquet punished an erratic display from Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov to progress 6-4, 7-6.
Earlier in the day, Russian power-hitter Karen Khachanov began his campaign with a 7-5, 6-2 win over last year’s runner-up Filip Krajinovic.
Khachanov, who lifted the Kremlin Cup earlier this month, recovered from a 3-5 down and saved a set point to battle past his Serbian opponent in 75 minutes.
Kyle Edmund was forced to end his season yesterday as the British No 1 withdrew from the Paris Masters with a knee injury.
Edmund has been advised to rest after scans showed a small amount of fluid behind his left knee.