Russia's Daniil Medvedev will have another opportunity to replace Rafael Nadal as world No. 2 next week if he reaches the final of the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam.
Medvedev rose to a career high third in the ATP rankings on Monday after finishing runner-up to world number one Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.
He would have moved above Nadal had he beaten the Serbian.
On Thursday, Nadal pulled out of the Rotterdam event due to a back injury which forced the 20-times Grand Slam winner to skip Spain's ATP Cup matches earlier this month.
The Spaniard's withdrawal means Medvedev will be top seed at the March 1-7 event, which also features top-10 players Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev.
Should he reach the final, Medvedev will become the first player outside Djokovic, Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray to be ranked in the top two since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005.
Saudi Arabia defeat UAE to clinch Gulf Cup title
Djokovic wins China Open as de Minaur retires injured
India crush West Indies in first T20
UAE, Saudi Arabia set for Gulf Cup final showdown
Alcaraz sinks Lehecka to retain Japan Open crown
