nadal withdraws from paris masters djokovic new world number one
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today
Egypt Today, egypt today
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today

Nadal withdraws from Paris Masters; Djokovic new world number one

Egypt Today, egypt today

Egypt Today, egypt today Nadal withdraws from Paris Masters; Djokovic new world number one

World number one Rafael Nadal
Paris - DPA

World number one Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Paris Masters due to injury on Wednesday, handing the top spot in the standings to Serbia's Novak Djokovic for the first time in two years.

It completes a remarkable turnaround for Djokovic in 2018 as he started the year poorly before returning to form. Wins at Wimbledon and the US Open sent him flying up the rankings while Nadal struggled for fitness.

Nadal has battled knee issues since withdrawing from the final grand slam of the year in New York but it was an abdominal problem which ended his hopes in Paris. He withdrew shortly before a second round match against compatriot Fernando Verdasco.

"It was great to be here in Paris for a couple of days and practice and in terms of tennis, I think I am better than I thought one week ago," Nadal said.

"But I started to feel something the last few days in the abdominal, especially when I was serving. The doctor says it is recommended to not play.

"It has been a tough year for me. I want to avoid drastic things. The doctor says if I try to win the tournament, the abdominal will break for sure. I am not happy but I have to accept and stay positive."

Nadal could yet end the year as number one, especially if he can perform well at the season-ending ATP finals in London next month.

But when the new rankings are released on Monday, it will be Djokovic's name at the top for the first time since October 2016.

The in-form Djokovic, who next faces Damir Dzumhur in the French capital, has lost only twice in 34 matches as well as winning the last two Masters crowns in Shanghai and Cincinnati. 

While Nadal was suffering, another of his long-time rivals moved into the last 16 without firing a shot. Roger Federer progressed without playing as Canadian opponent Milos Raonic withdrew with injury.

Raonic won an epic three-set encounter with home hopeful Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Tuesday but succumbed to an elbow problem.

Federer, 37, is chasing his 100th career title will now begin his Paris campaign in the third round on Thursday against either Fabio Fognini or Marton Fucsovics.

On court, Germany’s Alexander Zverev triumphed 6-4, 6-4 against American Frances Tiafoe in a topsy-turvy encounter.

There were 23 missed break points between the pair as Zverev faced seven break points behind a poor 43-per-cent first serve success rate in the opening set, where Tiafoe could not take advantage. 

However, 21-year-old Zverev finally broke serve in the 10th game to claim the first set lead after Tiafoe wilted with a netted return. 

Tiafoe saved one match point in the second set but after a double-fault released a second opportunity to wrap up the contest for Zverev, who entered the third round with a Tiafoe error after 1 hour and 44 minutes.

It is Zverev’s first ever victory at the Paris event after losing on his debut match last year. 

Japan’s Kei Nishikori advanced with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino and American John Isner progressed after claiming 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-1) victory against Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin. 

egypttoday
egypttoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

nadal withdraws from paris masters djokovic new world number one nadal withdraws from paris masters djokovic new world number one



GMT 07:22 2017 Monday ,20 November

Honda recalls 800,000 minivans over faulty seats

GMT 07:15 2017 Thursday ,30 November

Colombian President invites UAE companies

GMT 13:44 2013 Wednesday ,07 August

Chinese game developers bet on smartphone games

GMT 10:30 2011 Tuesday ,23 August

The Arab-Spanish investment forum 2011

GMT 10:49 2017 Monday ,06 November

Britain frozen out as EU finance chiefs plot future

GMT 14:30 2017 Wednesday ,06 December

India scent Test victory as pollution makes bowlers vomit

GMT 12:32 2018 Tuesday ,16 October

Runaway former sex offender nabbed in Thailand

GMT 16:34 2017 Wednesday ,01 March

Afghan capital attack toll jumps to 16

GMT 20:32 2013 Monday ,17 June

Porsche finds a new target audience

GMT 10:13 2011 Sunday ,31 July

Distressed debt firm eyes Nakheel creditors

GMT 18:25 2016 Thursday ,08 September

Ex-Lankan president’s ‘vanity airline’ grounded

GMT 21:02 2018 Wednesday ,05 September

Magnitude 5.5 earthquake strikes Russia’s Urals region

GMT 18:54 2014 Tuesday ,14 January

Cobalt nanoparticles applied in designing biosensor

GMT 12:00 2013 Wednesday ,31 July

Saudi consumers given teeth whitening kit warning

GMT 14:26 2014 Wednesday ,12 February

Earthquake behind shroud of Turin image

GMT 08:58 2014 Wednesday ,15 January

\'Lone Survivor\' blows away North American box office

GMT 15:32 2015 Sunday ,27 September

Thousands march to remember Mexico's missing students

GMT 01:25 2017 Thursday ,05 January

Strong Earthquake Strikes Off Coast of Fiji

GMT 12:51 2011 Friday ,08 July

No plans to merge Gazprom and Naftogaz
 
 Egypt Today Facebook,egypt today facebook  Egypt Today Twitter,egypt today twitter Egypt Today Rss,egypt today rss  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
egypttoday, Egypttoday, Egypttoday