Federer withdraws from Paris Masters

Federer withdraws from Paris Masters

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Robin Soderling of Sweden during their match at the Paris Masters Series tennis tournament October 29, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


PARIS, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Swiss Roger Federer was on Friday forced out of his quarterfinal match against James Blake at the Paris Masters because of a back injury.

The second seed said on his Web site that his back has been stiff this week and felt worse when he woke up Friday, forcing him to pull out of the match.

The 11th-seeded Blake then gets a semifinal berth and will take on the winner of another match between No. 7 Andy Roddick or No. 13 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.


Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Robin Soderling of Sweden during their match in the Paris Masters Series tennis tournament, October 29, 2008. Former world number one Roger Federer reached the third round of the Paris Masters with a 6-4 7-6 victory over in-form Swede Robin Soderling on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)