Injured Cobolli out of Paris Masters in blow to ATP Finals hopes

Flavio Cobolli pulled out of the Paris Masters on Monday with a muscle injury, a setback to his hopes of playing at the season-ending ATP Finals for the first time.

The Italian was in tears after retiring from his second-round match in Vienna last week with a minor muscle strain. The French Open runner-up still travelled to Paris in the hope of recovering in time, but the withdrawal has raised new doubts about his chances of a debut at the ATP Finals in Turin.

A tight race for the final places

Four of the eight places at the Turin event are still undecided. Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton and Daniil Medvedev have already qualified. Cobolli is currently best placed to take the fifth spot.

Arthur Fils, Frances Tiafoe and Rafael Jodar remain in contention behind Cobolli. Jodar is currently occupying the final qualifying spot.

Jodar beat Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets in his opening match in Paris on Monday. He will face Casper Ruud in the next round.

Others still in contention

Alex de Minaur is also still in the hunt. Seven-time Paris champion Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz both need a deep run this week to keep their hopes of reaching Turin alive.

Sinner absent

World No 2 Jannik Sinner will not take part in the tournament because of a knee injury.