Injured Roddick expected back in three weeks
SHANGHAI, Oct 16 (Reuters) - World number six Andy Roddick will not need surgery on the knee injury that forced him to retire from this week’s Shanghai Masters and is expected to be back in action in three weeks.
The American, who still needs to secure his berth at the season-ending World Tour Finals, pulled out of his match against Stanislas Wawrinka on Tuesday, one of seven withdrawals from the tournament so far. “Results of the MRI (scan) showed a mild sprain of his medial collateral ligament of the left knee,” a statement on his website (www.andyroddick.com) said.
“The news was very good for Andy. No surgery will be needed and Andy is expected to make a 100 percent recovery. Andy will rest and receive treatments and will be expected to start activity in two to three weeks.”
That would make Roddick available for the Nov. 8-15 Paris Masters, where he should be able to secure his spot at the season finale, which takes place in London from Nov. 22.
Five players—Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro—have already qualified, leaving three spots remaining.
Despite losing his first match in Beijing last week and his retirement in Shanghai, Roddick is in sixth place in the 2009 ranking points list that determines who qualifies, and has a comfortable, if not insurmountable, lead over the chasing pack. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by John O’Brien;To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
