Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Paris Masters through injury just minutes before the scheduled start of his semi-final against Denis Shapovalov on Saturday, leaving the Canadian to play Novak Djokovic in the final.
Second seed Nadal could have secured the year-end world number one ranking by winning the Bercy title this week.
Djokovic had beaten Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 in the first semi-final, but with an expectant crowd waiting in their seats for the second last-four match, it was announced that Nadal was out of the tournament.
? BREAKING ?@RafaelNadal has pulled out of his semifinal match against Shapovalov.
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 2, 2019
Reports indicate that he injured himself in the warm-up.#RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/xRdaXRKcn2
The 19-time Grand Slam champion will take over from Djokovic at the top of the world rankings next week, despite missing out on the chance to win a maiden title at Bercy.
Four-time champion Djokovic will take on 20-year-old Shapovalov on Sunday.
