Robin Soderling replaces injured Andy Roddick in London

Wimbledon runner-up Andy Roddick has pulled out of next week's World Tour finals, citing a left knee injury. French Open runner-up Robin Soderling will replace the American star in the field and make his debut at the prestigious eight-man event.

Andy Roddick, who qualified for this tourney for a seventh straight year, has not played anywhere since suffering a knee injury in Shanghai last month. "I am really disappointed to miss the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals," Roddick said. "I love playing in London and I have heard so many good things about the venue. However, I have not fully recovered from my knee injury and I won't be able to compete. One of my goals in 2010 will be to qualify for this event again."

Roddick's replacement, the 25-year-old Robin Soderling, became the first-ever player to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open, back in May. Unfortunately for the Swede, he lost to the great Roger Federer at the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open this season.

Robin Soderling, who is 35-9 on tour since mid-May, was the first alternate in London. Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is now next in line in case anyone else has to pull out the event.

The star-studded London lineup will feature the Wimbledon and French Open champion Roger Federer, the Aussie Open titlist Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, U.S.

Open champ Juan Martin del Potro, Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco and Soderling.

Djokovic topped Davydenko in last year's finale in Shanghai, which held the tournament the last four years.

The draw for the event will be held on Wednesday. Each of the eight players will be drawn to play a minimum of three round-robin matches to determine which four players advance to the semifinals.

The season-ending ATP World Tour Finals will commence Sunday at the O2 Arena.

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