German veteran Tommy Haasu00a0ousted Nicolas Almagro 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in the first round of the Shanghai Masters yesterday, dealing a huge blow to the Spaniard’s hopes of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals.

The 27-year-old Almagro, bidding to qualify for the end-of-season showpiece for the first time, started the week in 10th place in the Race to London but could not compete with the quality of Haas’s game in the decider.