Djokovic, Knowles/Nestor Set for Shanghai
© Getty Images Shanghai, China – Serb sensation Novak Djokovic secured his first trip to the prestigious Tennis Masters Cup—to be held at Shanghai’s Qi Zhong Stadium from November 11-18—joining tennis’ 1-2 tandem of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as singles players to have clinched their place in the elite eight-man, eight-team field. Doubles veterans Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor, meanwhile, became the second team to qualify for the circuit finale and will be making their fifth straight appearance at the Tennis Masters Cup.
Djokovic has put together an impressive 2007 season that has propelled him to a career-high No. 3 in both the South African Airways ATP Rankings and ATP 2007 Race standings. He opened the year by capturing the Adelaide title, and proceeded to collect three more, including the ATP Masters Series shields at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami and the Rogers Masters in Montreal. En route to the Rogers Masters title, the 20-year-old Serb posted victories over Andy Roddick, Nadal and Federer, becoming the first player since Boris Becker at Stockholm in 1994 to defeat the Top 3 players in the ATP Rankings at the same tournament.
"Wow, I am in, I am so happy!!!” said Djokovic, who holds nearly a 250-point lead over his nearest challenger Andy Roddick in the ATP 2007 Race standings. “This is one of my dreams and one of the happiest moments of my short career so far. I am really looking forward to that. To be part of the best eight at the end of the year is something unbelievable. Everything is coming so fast. On the other hand, I am very excited to play in China. I hear the tournament is great and I will try to enjoy every moment. Shanghai here I come!!!"
Djokovic takes a 56-13 season record into his quarterfinal match against Spaniard Carlos Moya on Thursday at the US Open, and is attempting to reach his third straight Grand Slam semifinal this week. He reached his first career Grand Slam semifinal in June at Roland Garros.
Tennis Masters Cup Tournament Director Brad Drewett said: “We are very excited to have Novak in Shanghai at the Tennis Masters Cup for his first time. He is one of the ATP's brightest new stars and has already made a huge impact on the sport this year. I am sure the people of Shanghai will enjoy watching him play.”
Knowles and Nestor, currently No. 2 in the Stanford ATP Doubles Race behind Americans Bob and Mike Bryan, captured their first title of 2007 at Roland Garros – also their first at the clay court Grand Slam – and in their next tournament appearance won their 39th team title at Queen’s. Both players reached the 600-win plateau over the summer, Nestor at his home country tournament in Montreal and Knowles at the US Open.
The Bahamian-Canadian duo turned in their best finish at the Tennis Masters Cup last year when they reached the final. They also advanced to the semifinals in 2003 and 2004. Knowles said: "I am excited to go back to Shanghai for the Tennis Masters Cup. I love playing in China and this is my ninth appearance in the year-end event, something which I am very proud of.”
The top seven players in the ATP 2007 Race and the top seven teams in the Stanford ATP Doubles Race following the BNP Paribas Masters qualify for the Tennis Masters Cup, with one spot reserved for Grand Slam champions finishing within the Top 20.
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