Andy Roddick has withdrawn from the Masters Cup shortly before his match against defending champion Roger Federer.
American withdraws before Federer match
Andy Roddick has withdrawn from the Masters Cup shortly before his match against defending champion Roger Federer.
The world number six, who was seeded fifth in Shanghai, sprained his right ankle during a training session on Tuesday.
"It was during a warm-up drill in practice yesterday," Roddick said. "I can't really stop or start quickly.
"It's definitely a tough prospect trying to beat Roger and not being able to move much."
Radek Stepanek, who finished 26th in the race to reach the ATP's season-ending event, therefore steps in to play Federer in the Red Group round robin match.
Roddick, who won three titles this season, lost his opening match in three sets to Andy Murray on Monday.
The 26-year-old estimated his movement to be only 30 to 40 percent of its normal level and said that his serve was particularly affected.
But he added that both his trainer and a doctor had told him the injury would not affect his preparations for next season.
"They don't think it's too long term, which is nice," he added.
"It's unfortunate for this event as far as I go, but I don't think we're looking at anything more than a week or so.
"Which in the grand scheme of things is good news considering the nature of the injury."
Despite his late entry, world number 27 Stepanek could still qualify for the semi-finals.
However, the Czech Republic player would need to win both of his matches and hope no more than one of the other players in his group finished with two victories.
