Verdasco exit settles ATP Finals line-up

(GETTY IMAGES)

Fernando Verdasco saw his Paris Masters challenge ended today, along with his hopes of qualifying for the upcoming ATP Tour World Finals.

The Spanish sixth seed edged a closely fought opening set in his third-round match against Gael Monfils, but the Frenchman came back to seal a 6-7 (4/7) 7-6 (7/2) 7-5 victory.

Defeat for Verdasco means he cannot improve on his current ninth place in the world rankings, allowing Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and Andy Roddick to all qualify for the season-ending event at the O2 Arena later this month.

Only the top eight players can reach the finals, which will take place between November 21 and 28.

Roddick progressed to the quarter-finals in Paris with a 6-3 7-6 (10/8) win over Latvia's Ernests Gulbis earlier today.

The American, who is eighth in the rankings, will be relieved to have secured his place at the World Finals after an inconsistent season.

"It's a goal at the beginning of every year," said Roddick. "It's certainly an accomplishment every year.

"I think it's an honour to qualify once, and then each time I think you kind of realise how tough it actually is."

Ferrer was unable to build on the news of his top-eight finish as he fell to a 7-6 (8/6) 2-6 6-3 defeat at the hands of Austrian 11th seed Jurgen Melzer.