Who will reach Shanghai?

[RainerShuttle]

Which 8 players do you think will qualify for the Masters in Shanghai? I know a lot can change with four Masters & the USO still to play but guess anyway! It's fun, really

I'll guess at:

1. Federer
2. Nadal
3. Hewitt
4. Roddick
5. Safin
6. Coria
7. Agassi
8. Davydenko

[tall_one]

Federer
Nadal
Hewitt
Roddick
Safin
Coria
Davydenko
Thomas Johansson

[Laury]

1. Federer
2. Nadal
3. Hewitt
4. Roddick
5. Safin
6. Coria
7. Agassi
8. Nalbandian

[Catriel]

Gastón Etlis / Martín Rodriguez ;D

[Catriel]

Nalbandian is very far away, he needs to win a lot in the 3 big tournaments remaining.
My candidates:
Federer
Nadal
Roddick
Safin
Hewitt
Coria
Davydenko
Gaudio

I wish Puerta would end an amazing year reaching the Masters, but he has already done too much

[tall_one]

The rankings as of monday, the guys in bold have already qualified

1st Federer, R. 1245
2nd Nadal, R. 953
3rd Roddick, A. 549
4th Hewitt, L. 498
5th Agassi, A. 455
6th Coria, G. 437
7th Davydenko, N. 393
8th Safin, M. 346
9th Ljubicic, I. 346
10th Gaudio, G. 345

[Laury]

Go David! He still have some chances!

[tall_one]

Agassi has qualified, only 2 spots left, well maybe 3, sounds like Marat's knee isn't good enough to play

[tall_one]

Ljubicic Qualifies; Field is Set

Ivan Ljubicic captured the last remaining Tennis Masters Cup berth on Friday, completing the elite eight-man field for the $4.45 million circuit finale to be held in Shanghai from November 13-20.

Ljubicic, who added to his INDESIT ATP 2005 Race tally by advancing to the semifinals in Paris on Friday, qualifies for Shanghai following the defeats of rivals David Ferrer and Gaston Gaudio in the BNP Paribas Masters quarterfinals. Ljubicic becomes the first Croat since Goran Ivanisevic (2001) to qualify for the Tennis Masters Cup.

“It's an absolute dream come true. This is what I have been aiming for the whole way,” said Ljubicic. “After winning a Grand Slam, I think this is the biggest achievement as you have to play well for the whole year to reach this goal.

“I played the tour event in Shanghai in 1999. I can only imagine what the center court will be like for the Masters Cup. I think the Chinese are probably the best organizers in the world and it will be an amazing event to play in. I will fly there probably on Monday or Tuesday and I can't wait to get there,” said Ljubicic.

The No. 1 Croat has enjoyed his best season in 2005 by winning two ATP titles in seven finals, breaking into Top 10 for first time and leading his country to its first Davis Cup final, to be played against Slovakia in December.

Ljubicic remains in contention at the BNP Paribas Masters where he will face off against fellow Tennis Masters Cup competitor Andy Roddick in Saturday's semifinals as he continues to bid for his first career ATP Masters Series shield.

Ljubicic joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi, Guillermo Coria and Nikolay Davydenko in the elite eight-man field set to play at the spectacular, new Qi Zhong Stadium.

[tall_one]

i'm starting to think these guys don't want to go to Shanghai


Lleyton Hewitt Replaced by Gaudio

Impending fatherhood has forced two-time Tennis Masters Cup champion Lleyton Hewitt to withdraw from the circuit finale in Shanghai, which begins this Sunday. Hewitt and wife Bec Cartwright are expecting their first child within the next two weeks.

Hewitt won Tennis Masters Cup Sydney in 2001 and won a second consecutive title in Shanghai in 2002. He finished year-end No. 1 in both years.

Hewitt said: "I am extremely disappointed as I have always enjoyed playing Tennis Masters Cup and had a great time in Shanghai in 2002, winning the event and maintaining my year-end World No.1 status. With my baby due in the next two weeks, it is not possible for me to come. I wish the event well and am sure it will be a great success and I hope to qualify for next year’s Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai."

Tennis Masters Cup Tournament Director Brad Drewett said: "We're obviously all very disappointed that Lleyton can't be with us this year. He has had an amazing record at the Tennis Masters Cup over the years, but we understand his situation and wish he and Bec all the best for the birth of their first child."

Gaston Gaudio narrowly missed out on clinching a Shanghai berth last week at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris when he reached the quarterfinals. The Argentine, who qualified for Tennis Masters Cup Houston last year after winning Roland Garros, has won five titles in 2005: Vina del Mar, Buenos Aires, Estoril, Gstaad and Kitzbuhel.

Gaudio joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, Guillermo Coria, Nikolay Davydenko, and Ivan Ljubicic in the eight-man field at the $4.45 million finale.

Tennis Masters Cup Doubles will be played concurrent with the singles final at the new Qi Zhong stadium. Teams competing are Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan and Jonas Bjorkman/Max Mirnyi – who are locked in a battle for year-end No. 1 honors - Wayne Black/Kevin Ullyett, Mark Knowles/Daniel Nestor, Leander Paes/Nenad Zimonjic, Michael Llodra/Fabrice Santoro, Wayne Arthurs and Paul Hanley and Wimbledon champions Wesley Moodie and Stephen Huss.

[tall_one]

Nalbandian Replaces Roddick in Shanghai Field

A lower back injury has sidelined World No. 3 Andy Roddick, forcing him to withdraw from Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai. Roddick sustained the injury on Friday during his quarterfinal match versus David Ferrer at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris.

The 23-year-old American was to make his third consecutive appearance at the $4.45 million circuit finale, which begins this Sunday at the new Qi Zhong Stadium. Roddick owns a 5-3 record in the event and reached the semifinals of Tennis Masters Cup Houston in both 2003-04.

"Though I have tried to continue with practice, the lower back spasms continue,” said Roddick. “After being evaluated by medical staff upon my return to the United States, it is now clear that I am not able to resume tennis-activities for 10-14 days.

“I apologize to the loyal fans and sponsors that have expected my participation in Tennis Masters Cup. It is an honor for me to have qualified for this event for the third-straight year. I realize the tremendous amount of time and effort the ATP and the Chinese government have spent on the event, and know it will be a huge success. I look forward to getting healthy, starting my off-season workouts for the 2006 season, and working towards qualifying for Shanghai next year.”

Roddick’s injury translated into David Nalbandian’s good fortune. The Argentine, who had a strong circuit finish that included back-to-back semifinal appearances in Masters Series Madrid and Basel, was elevated from his alternate status to a berth in the elite eight-man field. The Argentine titled in Munich this year, and was one of three players along with Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt to reach the quarterfinals or better in three Grand Slam tournaments.

Nalbandian played in the 2003 Masters Cup, and is the third Argentine to qualify for this year’s finale, joining countrymen Guillermo Coria and Gaston Gaudio. The other contenders set to take the stage in Shanghai include World No. 1 Federer, Spanish teen sensation Rafael Nadal, 12-time circuit finale competitor Andre Agassi, and first-time qualifiers Nikolay Davydenko and Ivan Ljubicic.

[DickTracy]

And Mariano Puerta replaced Nadal,

and Fernand Gonzalez replaced Agassi....

Who´s next?

[Laury]

David is in the final! I can´t believe it!
He´s a master! He has to defeat Rogy this time! Come on David!!

[tall_one]

laury said:

David is in the final! I can´t believe it!
He´s a master! He has to defeat Rogy this time! Come on David!!

congrats Laury! you must be so proud of David ;D

[Bruce]

Amazing final match, hard to believe!