Today’s Men’s News (11/01) – Paris

Written by: Staff on 1st November 2012

BNP Paribas 2012 Masters Tennis Tournament

Today's Men's News (11/01) - Paris

epa03454612 Andy Murray of Britain serves to Jerzy Janowicz of Poland during their match at the BNP Paribas 2012 Masters Tennis tournament in Paris, France, 01 November 2012. EPA/IAN LANGSDON |

Paris

Singles – Third Round: (Q) J Janowicz def. (3) A Murray 5-7 7-6(7-4) 6-2

This brought about six headlines to mind about “end-of-year-itis.” We’ll let you write your own…. Although Andy Murray clearly wanted to win — he had a match point, and was very upset when he lost it. The main effect is to finalize the year-end Top Three. Murray can no longer overtake Roger Federer; Federer will be #2, Murray #3. And Novak Djokovic will be #1, of course.

Singles – Third Round: (4) D Ferrer def. (16) S Wawrinka 6-2 4-6 6-2

And so David Ferrer finds himself the top seed left in a thoroughly attenuated field. Tomas Berdych could still pass him to reach #5, but just barely — Ferrer needs one more win to clinch the spot for another week. Stanislas Wawrinka will probably end the year at #17.

Singles – Third Round: (5) T Berdych def. K Anderson 1-6 6-3 6-4

It looks as if Kevin Anderson will end the year at #35.

Singles – Third Round: (6) J Tsonga def. (11) N Almagro 7-6(7-4) 7-6(7-3)

And so we finally settle something. Nicolas Almagro obviously can no longer reach #9, and cannot qualify for London — and cannot pass Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. So Tsonga has clinched for London. Only one spot was left, with Janko Tipsarevic the leading candidate. (Well, actually, things were already settled, but let us tell this our own way. Tsonga would have clinched by winning this match no matter what else happened.)

Singles – Third Round: (WC) M Llodra def. (7) J del Potro 6-4 6-3

That’s four of the top seven seeds out before the quarterfinal. Interesting that they were all clinched for London. At least del Potro had the excuse that he has had a very long couple of weeks. But this will make it much harder for him to rise above #7 this year. For Michael LLodra, this means he’ll get direct entry into the Australian Open after all. A nice way to end the year.

Singles – Third Round: (8) J Tipsarevic def. (9) J Monaco 6-3 3-6 6-3

Janko Tipsarevic helped himself in the Race twice: He added points, plus he eliminated a rival. In fact, this plus the day’s others results mean that the Race is over. The eight players in London will be Djokovic, Federer, Murray, Ferrer, Berdych, del Potro, Tsonga, and Tipsarevic.

As a side effect, Tipsarevic knocks Juan Monaco out of the Top Ten.

Singles – Third Round: S Querrey def. (14) M Raonic 6-3 7-6(7-1)

This early match also helped settle the Race, since Milos Raonic was eliminated. Raonic will probably end the year at #13, but he won’t be going to London. Sam Querrey, amazingly, has hardly moved; he’s still only #22. But if he can win his next match, he’ll end the year in the Top Twenty.

Singles – Third Round: G Simon def. (15) K Nishikori walkover (ankle)

Kei Nishikori had been suffering from this for some time, and he finally decided that enough was enough. Which means that he will end the year not much above #20 — and behind Gilles Simon, who ought to rise to #17 or #18. And who is on an incredible string of luck — first Roger Federer got out of his way, then Nishikori.

Doubles – Second Round: Hanley/Marray def. (1) Bryan/Bryan 6-5 6-7(2-7) 10-5 (Match TB)

Evidently it’s not just in singles that players run out of… something… at year-end.

Doubles – Second Round: (5) Bhupathi/Bopanna def. (WC) Benneteau/Mannarino 6-0 6-4

No Race eliminations yet.

Doubles – Second Round: (WC) Ouanna/Renevand def. (6) Melzer/Paes 7-6(7-5) 6-4

Doubles – Second Round: (7) Qureshi/Rojer def. F Lopez/Zimonjic 6-4 6-7(3-7) 17-15 (Match TB)

Talk about surviving by the skin of their teeth! But Qureshi/Rojer remain in the hunt for a London spot. Here is how we currently show the Race, with Fyrstenberg/Matkowski, Bhupathi/Bopanna, and Qureshi/Rojer still struggling for two spots.

1..Bryan/Bryan…………. 9495..CLINCHED

2..Mirnyi/Nestor……….. 6675..CLINCHED

3..Paes/Stepanek……….. 6265..CLINCHED

4..Lindstedt/Tecau……… 5975..CLINCHED

5..Granollers/M Lopez…….4370..CLINCHED

6..Qureshi/Rojer……….. 3695..

7..Fyrstenberg/Matkowski… 3690..

8..Bhupathi/Bopanna………3635..

9..Fleming/Hutchins………2420..OUT

10..Marrero/Verdasco………2260..OUT

11..Marray/Nielsen………..2180..CLINCHED

Doubles – Second Round: (8) Peya/Soares def. S Gonzalez/Lipsky 6-4 3-6 10-5 (Match TB)

It’s truly going to be fascinating to see where Peya/Soares end up next year. They’ve been one of the two or three best teams of the last couple of months.