Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer is almost assured of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals in London despite having lost at the Swiss Indoors Basel final last weekend to Juan Martin Del Potro. Federer would have qualified if he won the ATP 500 title in Basel but with the loss he will need to win at least one match at the Paris Masters this week in order to secure his place at the elite year-end competition.
There are still three spots available for the finale at The O2 in London which begins on November 4.
“I’m a winner type, I don’t take that much confidence from losing matches,” he said after losing the final to Del Potro. “I’m happy about the level of play, that it’s getting better, but it’s not in losses where I find my confidence. It’s in wins. I think the four matches previous gave me more than today’s match.”
Federer, the 2011 Paris Masters champion, will face Kevin Anderson of South Africa in his opening match. His compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka and Frenchman Richard Gasquet also have chances to reach the ATP World Tour Finals since both players hold the eighth and ninth spots respectively. With Andy murray pulling out of the tournament, the ninth-ranked player will get a place in London.
