Roddick expected to re-join World Finals chase next month in Paris

Oct 17, 2009, 5:04 GMT

   London - Andy Roddick is expected to re-join the chase for one of the last three spots open at the eight-man World Tour Finals in London in November after doctors determined that his current knee injury only needs extra rest.

   The chase to the season final could therefore go down to the wire depending on how the world number six American performs at the Bercy arena from November 9, the last week of the regular ATP season.

   Roddick was one of eight players who have so far retired at this week's Shanghai Masters, failing to finish against Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the second round.

   'Results of the MRI (scan) showed a mild sprain of his medial collateral ligament of the left knee,' read a a statement on Roddick's website. 'The news was very good for Andy.

   'No surgery will be needed and Andy is expected to make a 100-per-cent recovery. Andy will rest and receive treatments and will be expected to start activity in two to three weeks.'

   The Paris tournament is the last chance for players to reach London, which runs from November 22. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Juan Del Potro have already qualified.

   Roddick has a cushion of around 1,300 points on his nearest rivals, Fernando Verdasco, Robin Soderling, Shanghai semi-finalist Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Gonzalez.