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 Bryanke 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.
|
