Voo's Paris Quarterfinals Round Up

It was a nightmarish day for the Parisian crowd because the two best players in the world, weren’t able to play their quarterfinal matches.
Former No. 1 Roger Federer pulled out from a match against James Blake due to a stiff back. Federer gave a walkover for the first time in his 193rd ATP tournament. “I woke up this morning and it did not respond to the treatment I had last night. As a precaution and because I would be unable to play at 100% tonight” said Federer about the injury. Paris-Bercy is the the only Masters Series event where Federer hasn’t reached a final, moreover he hasn’t played there, even in the semifinals (three times quarterfinalist: 2002, 2003, 2008).
Current No. 1 Rafael Nadal was forced to retire in his match against Nikolay Davydenko after playing only 7 games due to injured right knee.
David Nalbanian has still a chance to qualify to Masters Cup in Shanghai after beating Andy Murray 7-6(3) 6-3. Nalbandian is 17-4 in tie-breaks this year – the best ratio from all players (80 %). Murray has lost first match after 14 consecutive wins (the best series in his career). “I’m obviously disappointed to lose, but I’m glad that I played against a guy as good as him,” Murray said. “He probably returned better than me and created a few more chances.
In the most exciting match of the day Jo-Wilfried Tsonga overcame Andy Roddick 5-7 6-4 7-6(5) after 2 hours 48 minutes. In the final tie-break Tsonga was leading 6:2 but lost his challenge and quickly another two match points. On fourth match point the Frenchman came to the net and finished the rally with a gentle forehand-volley to notice 8th three-setter win in a row. Tsonga was better in aces (15-14) too. In the semifinal he will meet Blake and the winner of this match will advance to the Masters Cup if Davydenko wins over Nalbandian in the first semifinal! “I definitely had more than enough chances tonight, so this one will probably stick with me,” Roddick said. “Credit to him, he came up with probably six or seven volleys that were pretty tough on break points.”
Paris – Quarterfinals
(6)Nikolay Davydenko d. (1)Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-1 ret.
(8)David Nalbandian (ARG) d. (4)Andy Murray (GBR) 7-6(3) 6-3
(13)Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) d. (7)Andy Roddick (USA) 5-7 6-4 7-6(5)
(11)James Blake (USA) d. (2)Roger Federer (SUI) w/o