Novak Djokovic beat a nervous Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4 Sunday to win his fifth Paris Masters final and 34th overall Masters title to move one behind all-time leader Rafael Nadal.
It was not immediately clear why Nadal had to pull out. "We saw something on the image, probably a small strain," said Nadal in the presser.
The top-ranked Serb remains on course for a fifth title at Bercy Arena and a 55th career showdown against old rival Rafael Nadal.
The Indo-Canadian duo fought hard for over 80 minutes before losing 5-7, 7-6, 8-10 against Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublov in the quarter-finals to crash out of the Paris Masters.
Novak Djokovic, currently No.1, and Rafael Nadal are vying for the top spot in the ATP rankings and if Nadal wins the Paris Masters, he will finish the year on top.
Djokovic, last year's runner-up, is bidding for the year-ending No. 1 ranking.
Rohan Bopanna and Denis Shapovalov entered the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters with a straight-set win over Fernando Verdasco and Benoit Paire.
The Spanish tennis star continued on his good form as he sets up a quarterfinal clash against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga at the Paris Masters.
Novak Djokovic defeated Corentin Moutet 7-6, 6-4 while Rafael Nadal got the better of Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 6-4.
Roger Federer withdrew from the Paris Masters in order to get some rest ahead of the ATP Finals in November.
Djokovic had secured World No. 1, following Nadal's retirement from the Paris Masters due to abdominal problems.
The 22-year-old Khachanov, ranked 18th, is the first Russian to win here since Nikolay Davydenko in 2006.
Federer remains one short of 100 career titles. However, at 37 years old, age finally seems to be catching up with the legend.
Federer will have to wait longer for his 100th career title.
Chasing his 100th career title after winning the Swiss Indoors last Sunday, the 20-time Grand Slam champion was hardly troubled.
If Federer wins the ongoing Paris Masters it will be his career's 100th tournament win.
Djokovic, who will reclaim the No. 1 ranking next week regardless of how he does here, faces Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals.
Also, Roger Federer advanced to the third round after big-serving Milos Raonic retired with a right elbow injury.
The U.S. Open champion won four of the last five tournaments he has entered, including Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and most recently the Shanghai Masters.
After winning his first Masters title, Sock will be making the short trip to England to compete against Roger Federer and the other six who made it from the ATP race.
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