Andy Roddick will be the top seed at the Paris Masters, tournament organisers said on Friday.
The American was selected after top-ranked Roger Federer and defending champion Marat Safin both withdrew due to injury. Federer has a torn ligament in his right ankle while two-time grand-slam champion Safin has tendinitis in his left knee.
Lleyton Hewitt pulled out on Friday with groin and foot injuries, tournament organisers said.
Argentina’s Guillermo Coria is the number-two seed, followed by Russian Nikolay Davydenko and Mariano Puerta of Argentina.
Roddick could face off against two Frenchmen — 2001 Paris winner Sebastien Grosjean and Gael Monfils — who were placed in Roddick’s portion of the draw. Roddick, who has a bye through the first round, would face Grosjean in his first match should the Frenchman beat American Taylor Dent in his opening encounter. Monfils would be next.
Veteran Andre Agassi pulled out for personal reasons, former French Open champion Carlos Moya has an injured right shoulder and French Open winner Rafael Nadal also pulled out due to tendinitis.
The indoor tournament begins on Monday at the Bercy Arena and ends on November 6. — Sapa-AP