Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Paris Masters, handing Denis Shapovalov a final showdown with Novak Djokovic. (More Tennis News)
Denis Shapovalov was handed a spot in the ATP Paris Masters final after Rafael Nadal withdrew with an abdominal injury
Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Paris Masters, handing Denis Shapovalov a final showdown with Novak Djokovic. (More Tennis News)
Nadal, who will return to world number one on Monday, had been set to face the Canadian in the semi-final on Saturday.
But 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.
Nadal would have secured top spot in the year-end rankings by winning the tournament.