Roger Federer • Novak • Rafa • Marin Cilic • Thiem • Nishikori • ATP Tennis All Coming Together For London • Great Tickets At Great Prices Still Available

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their semifinal match at the Rolex Paris Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 03 November 2018.  EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

 

 

By Ricky Dimon

 

Kei Nishikori’s Rolex Paris Masters quarterfinal loss to Roger Federer finalized the 2018 Nitto ATP Finals field. With that result, Marin Cilic and Dominic Thiem secured the final two spots at the O2 Arena.

 

Nishikori was the last contender left who could have passed either Cilic or Thiem, but Federer dashed the Japanese veteran’s hopes with a 6-4, 6-4 win–the Swiss’ second victory over Nishikori in the last two Masters 1000 tournaments (also in the Shanghai quarters).

 

Nonetheless, Nishikori’s London ticket was still forthcoming. He gained a place in London shortly following his setback when Juan Martin Del Potro officially withdrew due to a knee problem.

 

“First of all I want to wish [Juan Martin] a speedy recovery,” Nishikori posted on social media. “He had an amazing year. Second I am very excited to join the London field. I started my year with challengers and missed the Aussie Open and Indian Wells. Very proud of the way the year turned out. See you in [London]!!!”

 

“It’s frustrating for me not to be able to compete in London,” Del Potro admitted. “It’s a very special tournament and I’ve tried everything possible to get my knee better. The rehabilitation is making good progress but I need more time.”

 

Cilic, Nishikori, and Thiem join the elite eight-man field that was already headlined by Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Alexander Zverev, and Kevin Anderson. Nadal’s status, however, is in question because of knee and abdominal issues.

 

If the Spaniard withdraws, John Isner would make a debut appearance in London. Isner could have passed Nishikori if he had made a run to the Paris semifinals, but he lost to eventual finalist Karen Khachanov in a third-round thriller.

 

Seeds if Nadal plays:

 

1. Novak Djokovic

2. Rafael Nadal

 

3. Roger Federer

4. Alexander Zverev

 

5. Kevin Anderson

6. Marin Cilic

 

7. Dominic Thiem

8. Kei Nishikori

 

Seeds if Nadal withdraws:

 

1. Novak Djokovic

2. Roger Federer

 

3. Alexander Zverev

4. Kevin Anderson

 

5. Marin Cilic

6. Dominic Thiem

 

7. Kei Nishikori

8. John Isner

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @TennGrand.