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Injuries threatening to overshadow Masters Cup

Injury problems are threatening to overshadow the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup which has already been rocked by the withdrawal of world No. 1 Rafael Nadal.

Roger Federer, top seed in Nadal’s absence, is battling a back injury and Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro is hampered by a painful right toe. Nadal pulled out last week citing tendinitis and fatigue.

Federer forfeited his Paris Masters quarter-final against James Blake last week citing a stiff back, but arrived here safely to begin his preparations.

Del Potro has been bothered by a split big toenail since the US Open and was forced to pull out of last month’s Vienna Open, beating only one top 10 player since.

The Argentine opens today against world No. 3 Novak Djokovic, with France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga facing Nikolay Davydenko in the later match.

Tomorrow, Federer plays Britain’s Andy Murray and Andy Roddick of the US starts his campaign against Gilles Simon of France.

Tsonga, 23, had three months out injured this year, but muscled into the draw with a surprise victory last week in Paris.

Serbia’s Djokovic is another danger man and he will be hoping to bookend a season which started with his maiden Grand Slam win at the Australian Open.

Simon was a late inclusion thanks to Nadal’s withdrawal and Russia’s Davydenko is making his fourth straight appearance after another consistent season. Roddick is playing for a fifth time.
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