Paris Masters 2019: Djokovic vs Shapovalov in final after injured Nadal withdraws

Nadal withdrew moments before the start of his semifinal clash against Canadian Denis Shapovalov after sustaining an injury during warm-up.

Rafael Nadal, who is currently seeded second, was eyeing the year-end world number one ranking in his bid to win his first Paris title.

An injury sustained during warm-up forced Rafael Nadal to pull out of the Paris Masters minutes before the start of his semifinal tie against Denis Shapovalov on Saturday. The Canadian, who is through to his first Masters 1000 final, will now play Novak Djokovic for the title. Paris Masters semifinals, as it happened The ATP Tour confirmed the Spaniard had pulled out with an abdominal injury sustained during the warm-up.

Nadal said: "In one of the last serves of the warm-ups, I felt something in the abdominal.

"For the rest of the week the things have been positive. I enjoyed a lot playing here in Bercy."

It means Shapovalov will contest his first Masters final, while Djokovic will go in search of a fifth Paris title on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Novak Djokovic beat a spirited Grigor Dimitrov 7-6, 6-4 to proceed to the final, his sixth summit appearance at this venue.

Nadal would have secured top spot in the year-end rankings by winning the tournament.

(With inputs from Omnisport)