ATP Race Update: Casper Ruud out of the running for Turin after surprise Altmaier loss in Paris

Casper Ruud has had his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals albeit very slim hopes extinguished on Wednesday morning at the hands of Daniel Altmaier. The German saw him off 6-3, 7-5 at the La Defense Arena.

Albeit not in Ruud's case but for those high in the rankings, it is very much the hope that Altmaier will help them in the next round if the tie comes off that likely could between the German and a certain Felix Auger-Aliassime who after retiring last week in Basel has some ground to make up.

Ruud not making it to the ATP Finals is a bit of an indictment of his season with the Norwegian producing an epic Madrid win and also Stockholm. But he spent most of the Summer injured and is barely still in the top 10. He likely will have a chance to go as an alternate as the second alternate.

But he hasn't looked fit in the past few weeks and it showed this time around as he was beaten by the German. Currently though unlike the WTA Finals where most of the spots were filled before the last week of the season, the qualification cut shows that in reality it could still be an interesting ball game this week.

Auger-Aliassime is currently outside the spots and has the biggest ground to make up. He is on 3,245 points behind 3,685 for Lorenzo Musetti. All of these players above him aside from Alcaraz and Djokovic (already qualified) are still in the tournament. Albeit Ruud's chance may come from the fact that Djokovic may still not play in Turin again. The same can be said for Auger-Aliassime who likely will bank on that chance if he loses early this week.

Taylor Fritz is currently the next likely to qualify. He like his compatriot Ben Shelton are into the Last 16 in Paris but with the cut likely being 4,240 points to qualify they are almost in but not 100% certain. Alex de Minaur is kind of the sandwich in between as he is nearly there too and isn't in too much of an immediate danger from Musetti or Auger-Aliassime as such in terms of not qualifying.

The danger might come from a surprise winner. Daniil Medvedev and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina are two players who in reality could still qualify based off a late run or a title win. Medvedev is currently in 12th on 2,660 and maximum he could accrue just over 3,500 points like Davidovich Fokina if they win the title which would send Auger-Aliassime firmly out and also ask the question when it comes to the race for alternate spots too.

So while Ruud would currently be the second alternate, he isn't exactly full certain especially if the latter few manage to find their way in. Another spoiler yet who is still in is also Alexander Bublik albeit as a result despite it being the last big tournament of the regular season, it isn't as fraught with danger.

Albeit some will play in ATP 250's next week hence why some are also still in the running despite not having enough points to make Turin this week even if they won the title. So it could yet move on to next week to decide the field. Some nervy waits potentially ahead including for Ruud in his quest for a last minute spot.