With one tournament to go before the ATP World Tour Finals, six players are in contention for the four remaining spots. Rafael Nadal's withdrawal opened up another spot in the eight-player season finale in London.
Andy Murray has been racking up points since the U.S. Open, having won his last two tournaments. He will qualify if he reaches the Paris quarterfinals, according to the ATP, while Tomas Berdych and Kei Nishikori will secure a spot if they reach the semifinals. David Ferrer must reach the final to guarantee a stay in the top eight, with a title required for Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov. Raonic and Dimitrov can also qualify by advancing further than the others at Paris, though the Bulgarian must reach at least the semifinals to have any chance.
The points standings are as follows, with Marin Cilic guaranteed to qualify per the rules for Grand Slam champions:
**1. Novak Djokovic (qualified) 9,010 points
2. Roger Federer (qualified) 8,520 points**
3. Rafael Nadal (withdrawn)
4. Stanislas Wawrinka (qualified) 4,805 points
5. Andy Murray 4,295 points
6. Kei Nishikori 4,265 points
7. Marin Cilic (qualified) 4,150 points
8. Tomas Berdych 4,105 points
9. David Ferrer 3,865 points
10. Milos Raonic 3,840 points
11. Grigor Dimitrov 3,555 points
Meanwhile, Federer gained 500 points with victory last week in Basel, and is less than 500 points behind Djokovic in the contest for the year-end No. 1 ranking. Both Federer and Djokovic have said they are aiming to get the coveted spot, but also described each other as "very motivated" to do the same. There are 1,000 points available for winning Paris and up to 1,500 points for the World Tour Finals, with Federer also getting an opportunity to addd points in the Davis Cup final.
"It would be very special to reclaim number one," said Federer." With the year I have had and the amount of finals I have played, the level of tennis I have played, I am pleased to see that I have an [opportunity].
"I am sure that Novak is going to come in very motivated, just after having become a father. I am very happy for him. There are clearly interesting weeks ahead."
No other player is in contention for the No. 1 ranking.
"Of course, the goal for both of us is to finish the year as No. 1 in the world," said Djokovic. "So we both are playing well, and that's something that is definitely going to play a big role in the upcoming weeks."