David Goffin and Roberto Bautista Agut were confirmed the two singles alternates at the World Tour Finals on Thursday. Goffin finished 11th in the 2016 race but has climbed into the top alternate spot because No. 8 Rafael Nadal is out with a wrist injury and No. 10 Tomas Berdych declined the offer to be an alternate. Bautista Agut ended his impressive season at No. 14 before climbing into the second alternate spots because No. 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga declined and No. 13 Nick Kyrgios is suspended.
Berdych slumped after making a run to the Wimbledon semifinals and had to upset Andy Murray in the BNP Paribas Masters quarterfinals last week in Paris-Bercy to qualify for the World Tour Finals. Berdych led 6-1 in the opening-set tiebreaker but ended up falling 7-6(9), 7-5 to see his top-eight chances evaporate. Murray’s victory over the Czech allowed Dominic Thiem to clinch the all-important No. 8 spot in London.
The good news for Berdych is that he now gets some rest. He wrote the following on various social media outlets: “Dear friends, season 2016 is over and I would like to thank to all of you for positive energy and great support!!!mAfter discussion with doctors in Prague Hospital I was recommended to have a break for two weeks and then we will see what they gonna do with my appendix…see you next year!”
Tsonga had to win the Paris title in order to reach the top eight. The Frenchman was looking good following a defeat of Albert Ramos-Vinolas and comeback win over Kei Nishikori in which he fought off two match points, but Tsonga lost to Milos Raonic 6-2, 7-6(4) in the quarters.
Goffin’s season has been highlighted by back-to-back semifinal finishes in Indian Wells and Miami in addition to a quarterfinal performance at the French Open. The Belgian stayed in top-eight contention until he succumbed to London qualifier Marin Cilic in the Paris third round. Bautista Agut started his 2016 campaign on fire with titles in Auckland and Sofia, struggled around the midway point, and then got back on track as a finalist in Shanghai.
Goffin posted the following on Twitter, along with a smiley face and the United Kingdom flag: “London, I’m coming! #1stalternate”.
Bautista Agut wrote on Twitter that he is preparing his suitcase to go to London.
Goffin has a real chance of playing in London and even Bautista Agut better be ready to take the match court. Raonic sustained a quadriceps injury against Tsonga and was forced to give Murray a walkover through the Paris semis. The Canadian said afterward that he was “doubtful” to suit up for the World Tour Finals before saying earlier this week on Twitter that he is “ready go go.” Gael Monfils withdrew from Paris with a rib injury and Dominic Thiem has admittedly been low on energy since the French Open.
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Great!! Would love to see one or both of these guys play. I’d definitely rather Raonic withdraw and Goffin play. Surprised berdych didn’t take the alternate spot and same with Tsonga but especially berdych who should be aware of raonic’s recent injury. Man kyrgios could’ve been an alternate I kinda doubt he would’ve taken it though. Still so dumb for getting suspended.