Sam Querrey’s somewhat surprising Nitto ATP World Tour Finals bid lasted until the final event of the regular season. But he did not last long at the Paris Masters, and therefore his London hopes are over.
The Wimbledon semifinalist and U.S. Open quarterfinalist fell to qualifier Filip Krajinovic 6-4, 6-4 during second-round action on Tuesday . Querrey served at a modest 57 percent, double-faulted four times, won a mere 39 percent of his second-serve points, and got broken three times. With two more spots in the World Tour Finals still in play, Querrey headed into Paris trailing both David Goffin and Pablo Carreno Busta. He needed to win at least one match to have a chance of qualifying for the year-end championship.
Had both Querrey and Carreno Busta advanced through their openers, they would have gone head-to-head in the third round with a potential spot in London at stake. Instead, that showdown is now none other than Krajinovic vs. Nicolas Mahut. Carreno Busta’s hopes suffered a blow when he succumbed to Mahut 6-4, 6-1 in one hour and 26 minutes. The French Open quarterfinalist and U.S. Open semifinalist led by a break early in the opening set but ended up losing 11 of the last 13 games. Mahut, a wild-card entry, fought off eight of nine break points.
Carreno Busta is still holding on to the eighth World Tour Finals spot, but nine different players have a chance of surpassing him. Most of those contenders would have to capture the Paris title, but Kevin Anderson and Juan Martin Del Potro have more realistic opportunities to overtake the Spaniard.
Anderson must reach at least the quarterfinals, while Del Potro has to make the semis.
The 6’8” South African, who finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the U.S. Open, will begin his campaign against Fernando Verdasco on Wednesday. The winner of that matchup will face Dominic Thiem, who defeated Peter Gojowyczk 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-4 on Tuesday night.
Tuesday highlights:
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door open
Kevin Anderson might not see the 8th World Tour Finals spot as he might go out in Rd2 @Paris Open today! Anderson who seems to be out of form and looks sluggish and tired can lose to the Spaniard Fernando Verdasco (in 2 tight sets or 3 sets), who is in a better form on IH currently.
If Anderson wins Rd2, he might not survive Rd3 as he does not have the form or the strength/will to win. The South African Big Bird is here for just a paycheck just like the other 2 giants Isner (to fall to the Shorty Shortman & wily Argentinian. Need to applaud the Organizers for matching up a giant with a Pygmy. Didn’t the organizers not find a more lopsided matchup in terms of physicality! Ho,ho,ho…Isner might not be able to see his Shorty opponent hidden by the net!) and Querry!
Giants remember, “The taller you are, the harder you fall…especially if you challenge pygmies like Shortman, Krajicovic etc.”!lol