ATP
FAA shock retirement sends Munar to Basel semis
Jaume Munar reached only the second ATP 500-level semi-final of his career on Friday when seeded opponent Felix Auger-Aliassime suddenly quit their match after losing the opening set.
Spain’s Munar advanced 6-3 after a 44-minute effort which included a 13-minute sixth game comprising seven deuces, with Canadian FAA saving three break points.
But three games later, it was all over, with the fifth seed who won the title here in 2022 and 2023, packing up his gear and leaving the court after quitting the match.
FAA had perhaps given a hint of trouble as he flexed his lower back after winning the second game of the afternoon with four straight winners against the 42nd-ranked Munar.
His problem was later revealed as a left knee injury.
The retirement leaves a question mark of the former top 10 player’s fitness for next week at the Paris Masters, where final places for the eight-man ATP Finals next month will be sorted out.
FAA began the day standing provisional ninth behind Italian Lorenzo Musetti, still active this week in Vienna.