Milos Raonic retires from Second Round match in Shanghai
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Huge news from the Shanghai Masters as Canadian Milos Raonic has retired from his Second Round match against Argentine wild card Juan Monaco, having been trailing 5-2 in the opening set. The news has major ramifications for not only the remainder of Raonic’s season, but also on the Race for the World Tour Finals in London at the end of the season.
Not sure what the problem was but Milos #Raonic retires against Juan #Monaco trailing 2-5. #tennis pic.twitter.com/004gmoN3lQ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 8, 2014
The retirement comes at the end of a day of upsets at the Shanghai Masters, with a fully-fit Raonic a heavy favourite against Juan Monaco. Raonic never looked comfortable in the early stages, but it didn’t look to be a physical injury that was troubling him.
There are suggestions that Raonic was suffering from an illness following his journey to the final in Japan last week. If so, Raonic fans will be hoping that his season can continue and that he recovers quickly.
Milos Raonic told me he hadn't been out of bed since arriving in Shanghai , had a fever after Japan Open final loss to Kei Nishikori
— Matt Brown (@chahuahua) October 8, 2014
Raonic is scheduled to play a number of extra tournaments at the tail end of the season, looking to secure his place in the Top 8 of the Race standings and make it to the World Tour Finals. In two weeks he is down to play the 250 Kremlin Cup in Moscow, followed by the 500 Swiss Indoors in Basel.
He is due to finish on the main tour at the Paris Masters 1000 event, by that time he will hope to have done enough the qualify for the season ending championships in London. He started the week in 8th place in the Race, but following this retirement he will be overtaken by Andy Murray if the Brit can beat David Ferrer tomorrow.
This shock retirement adds another level of intrigue to the already fascinating chase for a place in the Top 8, with David Ferrer, Grigor Dimitrov and Jo Wilfried Tsonga all outside contenders. Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori, both inside the Top 8, could have cemented their place this week, but have both fallen early in Shanghai.
Andy Murray, David Ferrer and Thomas Berdych are the three contenders who will look to capitalise on a strange start to the week in Shanghai.
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