Abu Dhabi, Dec 30 (DPA) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has withdrawn as a late injury victim from the Capitala World Tennis Championship after injuring himself in training, to be replaced in the six-man field by Spain’s David Ferrer.
“I’m extremely disappointed not to be able to participate in the Capitala World Tennis Championship due to an injury,” said Tsonga, the 2008 Australian Open finalist who will now be on the back foot in his preparation for the Grand Slam starting January 18 in Melbourne.
Ferrer helped Spain to a fourth Davis Cup title a month ago in Barcelona during a sweep of the Czech Republic. Spanish teammate Rafael Nadal also makes up the weekend exhibition field in the Gulf along with Roger Federer, Nikolay Davydenko, Stan Wawrinka and Robin Soderling.
Number 17 Ferrer is due to open play Thursday in the emirate against Davydenko, winner a month ago of the ATP year-end event in London.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to play in Abu Dhabi and I am very much looking forward to getting the season underway,” said the Spaniard.
“Davydenko is always a tough opponent, particularly considering how well he has been playing lately, and I’m looking forward to playing him again.”
A Ferrer win would produce an all-Spanish semi-final against Nadal, who along with Federer receives a bye into the last four of the three-day event starting Thursday.
“Rafa and I are great friends it would be fantastic to meet him in the semi-final,” said Ferrer. “Rafa said the stadium atmosphere in Abu Dhabi last year was very exciting and he received a lot of support from the Spanish fans.
“It’s something I’m looking forward to experiencing.”
Thursday’s second match features French Open finalist Soderling of Sweden against Swiss Wawrinka.
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