SINGLES QUALIFIERS

Fernando Gonzalez

Fernando Gonzalez became the first Chilean since Marcelo Rios in 1998 to qualify directly for the prestigious Tennis Masters Cup after the conclusion of quarterfinal action at the BNP Paribas.

“I am very happy to be returning to Shanghai. I had a great time two years ago and it was one of my goals this year to be among the top eight players at the Tennis Masters Cup,” said Gonzalez, who fell in second round action Tuesday at the final ATP Masters Series event of 2007.

The 27-year-old Gonzalez, who will finish in the year-end Top 10 of the South African Airways ATP Rankings for the second successive year, has enjoyed a solid season that includes one title in Beijing and two runner-up finishes at the Australian Open and ATP Masters Series Rome.

Gonzalez served as an alternate in 2005, following the retirement of Andre Agassi during his first round robin match in Shanghai.