Davydenko Qualifies
Davydenko: Will make his debut Nikolay Davydenko is the latest player to qualify for Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai, the $4.45 million circuit finale to be held from November 13-20. The latest qualification leaves just one remaining singles spot as four contenders chase INDESIT ATP 2005 Race points at the BNP Paribas Masters this week.
Davydenko, who is in seventh position in the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race, will be making his first Tennis Masters Cup appearance. The 24-year-old clinched his spot in Shanghai after advancing to the quarterfinals in Paris, garnering enough Race points with his win to stay safely in the Top 8 of the Race.
“I did not want to think too much about it because I was very close but still needed to win matches and points,” said Davydenko. “Since the US Open, everybody around me was saying I had a big chance but I wasn't in yet.
“It feels great, it's such a big achievement as there are 1,000 players in the rankings and I will be among the Top 8. I know the Tennis Masters Cup is a very special tournament and now I will experience it.”
The Russian is coming off his best year on the circuit, carrying a 53-28 mark with his latest wins in Paris. Davydenko broke into the Top 10 for the first time in his career this past June with strong performances on clay courts, titling in St. Poelten and advancing to the semifinals at Masters Series Hamburg and Roland Garros.
Davydenko joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi and Guillermo Coria in the elite eight-man field set to play at the spectacular, new Qi Zhong Stadium.
The battle for the final spot has narrowed down to four players with Shanghai aspirants facing off against each other in Paris. Ivan Ljubicic, currently No. 8 in the Race, is staking his claim for the last spot with a second round victory that ended No. 14 Thomas Johansson’s Shanghai hopes. Gaston Gaudio, who is seeking his second straight Tennis Masters Cup appearance, is within one point of the Croat, while David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo still maintain an outside shot at the berth after advancing to the quarterfinals in Paris.
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