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Implications of Roger Federer withdrawing from Montreal Masters

By Geoff Nichols

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Implications of Roger Federer withdrawing from Montreal Masters

Roger Federer announced his withdrawal from the Montreal Masters a few days ago and the decision has a far reaching effect for the rest of the draw. The two time former winner in Canada is set to return to action at the Cincinnati Masters next week.

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Judging by recent history it is not hugely surprising to see the world number 2 withdraw from the event given that he has been tapering down his schedule in recent seasons. Has has only appeared at the Montreal Masters once since 2011, although granted that was a run all the way to the final in 2014.

The beneficiary of this decision when it comes to entry into the main draw is big serving Pole Jerzy Janowicz. The world number 47 has played the Rogers Cup twice before, falling in the first round last year to Canadian wild card  Peter Polansky.

What it means for Federer

The implications for Federer are mostly positive. He will be rested and refreshed for the Cincinnati Masters and has time to recharge and spend time with his family. Whilst there is a danger of coming into his first match in the US hard court series cold, that is not an issue that has overly worried him in the past.

His positions in both the ATP Rankings and ATP Race are secure enough to pass on the points available at the Masters 1000 event in Montreal. In the rankings he is fighting off a charge from Andy Murray who is in third, although Federer should hold onto the number two spot until at least the US Open.

– Latest ATP Race Standings – 

Again in the Race standings Federer has a sizeable cushion over his nearest rival looking downwards. He is currently in fourth, with Thomas Berdych over 1,000 points behind in fifth and in nowhere near the kind of form with which he began 2015.

Main Contenders for Rogers Cup

Novak Djokovic is the obvious favourite for the title, as he has swept passed every challenge in the big events in 2015. He seems to be able to shake off any rust very quickly and his movement is second to none on hard courts. Is there anyone in the field who can stop him?

– Andy Murray having career year in 2015 – 

One man might be Andy Murray, who should ignore his early loss in Washington this week and take heart from the fact that he will be promoted to second seed in Montreal. Also buoyed by the news of his first child, the Britain has been in great form in 2015 and is focussed on an equally strong Autumn.

– What is wrong with Rafael Nadal? – 

Questions remain over Rafael Nadal as whilst he displayed his ability to win at lesser events on the clay, that hasn’t translated to any kind of form on the hard courts this season. His year hasn’t perhaps been as devastating as everyone would have you believe however, as he sits at sixth in the ATP Race standings.

The draw will be a big moment for Nadal, who also benefits from Federer’s withdrawal as it launches him into the top eight seeds. If he can avoid some of the bigger names until he has had some time to acclimatise to the speed of the court, he could be a threat.

It was Jo Wilfried Tsonga who shocked everyone and sprinted to the title last year, beating Djokovic, Murray, Dimitrov and Federer in consecutive matches. I would be very sceptical that he could produce the same level again, but the memories of 2014 could inspire him.

Elsewhere David Ferrer has joined Roger Federer on the list of absentees from the Montreal Masters. He is still suffering from the injury that plagued him over the summer and he will be concerned that if his lay off is to continue, his place at the World Tour Finals might be at risk.

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Next: Wimbledon 2015: Top 5 Upsets in Men's Draw

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