Denis Shapovalov pulls out of Paris Masters, ends bid for Nitto ATP Finals

World No. 12 Denis Shapovalov and former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori have both withdrawn from the Paris Masters. 

Shapovalov, 21, won't be making his fourth consecutive appearance at the Paris Masters. 

The Canadian made his maiden Masters final in Paris last year, before losing to world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

Shapovalov played at this week's ATP 500 event in Vienna, where he suffered a shock first round loss to wildcard Jurij Rodionov.

Shapovalov's hopes of making the Nitto ATP Finals have ended after losing in the Vienna first round and withdrawing from Paris. 

On the other side, Nishikori continues to collect tournament withdrawals as after withdrawing from last week's Antwerp and this week's Vienna, the Japanese decided to pull out of Paris as well. 

Nishikori, 30, achieved his best result at the Paris Masters in 2014, when he made the semifinal before losing to Djokovic. 

Nishikori last played at the French Open, where he was beaten in the second round by Italian Stefano Travaglia. 

Shapovalov and Nishikori to be replaced by Yoshihito Nishioka and Gilles Simon 

Following the withdrawals of Shapovalov and Nishikori, two places in the Paris Masters main draw opened for Japan's Nishioka and French Simon. 

Shapovalov Out of London as well so this should be the end of his season. And Kei :( https://t.co/ESpLKNzDIG

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 27, 2020

Last week, former world No. 6 Simon stunned Shapovalov in the round-of-16 at Cologne 2. 

Simon entered the match as the underdog but ended up winning in three sets 6-1 4-6 6-2. 

"It was really hard. Denis has a very offensive game. He is really going for everything, every time. Missing a lot, but making a lot of winners also. He is creating a lot of stress on the other side of the court,” Simon said after the match, per the ATP website.

“I am really happy with the way I played today, with the focus I had over all of the match. I am really happy to beat him, because it is a very, very good win. I had a tough match with him at Roland Garros. I lost it unfortunately, so I am happy that I am the winner this time."

Simon added more praise to Shapovalov's as he said the rising Canadian star brings a lot into tennis.

"As a fan, Denis and Jannik are players that I like to watch because they bring a lot into tennis. They are just very good and I really look forward to playing against them," Simon added.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/34AvSnj