Sock wins in Paris and leaves Carreno without London Masters.

The American will have the last place for the last big event of the year, which starts next Sunday.

When Pablo Carreño fell at the first sign of change at the 1000 Masters in Paris he knew he had to live with others. The tournament took the Asturian’s side, getting off with rivals with a chance of a place in the London Masters. Such as Querrey, Tsonga, Del Potro, and, already in the semifinals, Isner. But when there was only one match left to make up the numbers. The Masters 1000 final in Paris on Sunday, the ticket to Ingalterra was gone.

Carreño’s luck depended on Krajinovic’s since he beat Isner against all odds in the semifinals. The Serbian, 25 years old, was the rival that Nadal would have had in the quarterfinals if he had not withdrawn. The tennis player who, coming from the previous round, ended up becoming the absolute revelation of the tournament. He had never played the final of an ATP, and in Paris, he stood on the verge of the title of an entire Masters 1000.

He was on the verge of completing the feat. Krajinovic won the first set. But he ended up losing in three sets to American Jack Sock (5-7, 6-4 and 6-1). Another surprise of the tournament, the 22nd in the world thus got the last ticket left for the Master’s Cup. It starts on Sunday. Their qualification puts an end to the long absence of the United States. In the tournament that brings together the eight best in the world. The last one had been Mardy Fish in 2011. He will be joined in London by Nadal, Federer, Zverev, Thiem, Dimitrov. And the recently qualified in Paris by Cilic and Goffin. A list without some illustrious, victims of the gruelling schedule: Wawrinka, Murray and Djokovic were erased from the race to London by injury.

Carreno will be the first substitute and Del Potro. Who fell in Paris against Isner in the quarterfinals, will be the second. Therefore, now the Asturian, who after being a semi-finalist at the US Open, has only won one match. It will be on the lookout for Nadal, whose participation in London is in the air due to a right knee injury.

“He is a great partner and friend, who has also made a great season, and I would like to culminate it by playing the tournament,” the Asturian assured Efe. Carreno said he was aware of Nadal’s illness and considered his year good, even if he does not end up playing the Masters Cup.