ATP
Basel setback unlocks path for Torino hopefuls
Year-end Finals contender Rafael Jodar cracked the door open for trailing rivals on Thursday. The Spaniard lost 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-6 (5) to Valentin Vacherot in the Swiss Indoors second round.
Jodar stands provisional ninth – last in the potential field due to the absence of Jannik Sinner.
But defeat in two and a half hours for the controversial youngster, his rudeness to ballkids has drawn heavy criticism, offers advancement chances for Alex de Minaur and Basel players Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz.
Final entry to the Turin season wrap-up will be decided by results this week in Basel and Vienna and the Paris Masters starting on Monday.
Monegasque Vacherot moved into a Friday Basel quarter-final against Holger Rune, after the Dane reached the last eight on Wednesday, saving a match point to defeat Hubert Hurkacz in a final-set tiebreaker.
Main photo:- Rafael Jodar in action by ISF Ltd