Roger Federer, Paris Masters, ATP Tour, Basel Indoors, Swiss Indoors, Basel Open, Andreas Seppi, Marin Cilic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
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Roger Federer will next play at the ATP Tour Finals in London, which get underway on November 10. Photo: @rogerfederer/Twitter

Federer withdraws from Paris Masters after clinching Basel Indoors

World number three Roger Federer, who claimed his 10th Basel indoors title on Sunday (October 27), withdrew from the upcoming Paris Masters on Monday (October 28) in order to "pace" himself for the next year.


World number three Roger Federer, who claimed his 10th Basel indoors title on Sunday (October 27), withdrew from the upcoming Paris Masters on Monday (October 28) in order to “pace” himself for the next year.

The Swiss tennis maestro decided to skip the final Masters event of the season at Bercy Arena to be able to play on the ATP Tour next year for as long as possible.

“I am extremely disappointed to have to pull out of the Paris Masters. I have to pace myself since I want to play as long as possible on the ATP Tour. I am sorry for my French fans who I will see next year at Roland Garros,” he said in a statement.

The 38-year-old had on Sunday warned after beating Alex de Minaur at the Swiss Indoors that he may skip the trip to the French Capital, however, tournament director Guy Forget still expressed his “disappointed” with the player’s late decision to withdraw.

“My fitness is fine, I’m happy with how I feel,” Federer said after clinching the Basel Open.

“I just don’t know if I should play next week. I’ll figure it out with the team,” he added.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion returned to the Paris Masters last year for the first time since 2015 and reached the semi-finals where he lost a three-set thriller to Novak Djokovic, who is top seed ahead of Rafael Nadal in the French capital this year.

Federer will next play at the ATP Tour Finals in London, which get underway on November 10.

Also read: Tsitsipas sets up fourth Federer clash in Basel indoors semi-finals

He was replaced by Italian veteran Andreas Seppi in the main draw as a lucky loser.

Meanwhile, Marin Cilic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga reached the second round.

Former US Open champion Cilic was one of the first unseeded players to book his spot in the last 32 with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 win over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.

Croatian Cilic, who has failed to reach a final this season and has slipped to 24th in the world rankings, will next face three-time Grand Slam title-winner Stan Wawrinka.

Tsonga, who was the last Frenchman to win the Paris Masters title in 2008, battled back from a set down to defeat in-form Russian Andrey Rublev 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

The 34-year-old, who has risen to world number 35 after ending an injury-plagued 2018 at 239th, saved four break points in a dramatic deciding set in front of a partisan crowd.

There was more cheer for the home fans as Jeremy Chardy and Benoit Paire also progressed.

Chardy edged out big-serving American Sam Querrey 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 to set up a tie with world number four Daniil Medvedev, while Paire saw off Bosnian Damir Dzumhur 7-5, 6-4.

Paire will face fellow French hope Gael Monfils for a place in the last 16.

Elsewhere, Croatian Borna Coric lost 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to Fernando Verdasco, and former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic cruised past Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-2.

(With inputs from agencies)

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