Youzhny out of World Tour Finals race

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Youzhny out of World Tour Finals race

Ernests Gulbis secured his place in the third round of the Paris Masters on Tuesday after Mikhail Youzhny retired hurt with a back injury.

Gulbis was leading 6-4, 3-0 but with the Russian unable to compete he retired handing the Latvian an easy passage to the third round.

Youzhny’s retirement ends his hopes of qualifying for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals later this month.

Elsewhere Juan Monaco defeated Sam Querrey 7-6(7), 6-2 in 86 minutes and David Nalbandian beat Marcel Granollers 6-3 6-1 in to set up an entertaining tie against British No.1 Andy Murray.

With Youzhny’s exit only two players outside the top eight now have a chance to qualify for London are Spain’s Fernando Verdasco and Germany’s Jurgen Meltzer. Verdasco needs to make at least the semi-finals in Paris for a chance at making London and Meltzer must win in France to claim his spot.