Shangai 2

Nalbandian and Robredo book Shanghai places

Argentina's David Nalbandian and Tommy Robredo of Spain became the latest players to book their places in the Shanghai Masters Cup as America's James Blake was left sweating on his chances.

Nalbandian, the defending Masters Cup champion, made sure of his inclusion in the eight-man field without hitting a ball when Germany's Tommy Haas beat Blake 6-4, 6-2 here in the Paris Masters third round.

Robredo also reserved his seat on the plane to China with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) win over France's Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Nalbandian, absent from the Paris tournament because of a stomach injury, and Robredo, join Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Ivan Ljubicic, Andy Roddick and Nikolay Davydenko as the confirmed starters in China on November 12.

"It's a dream for me to be in the Masters Cup," said the 24-year-old Robredo, the world number seven.

"At the beginning of the year it was my goal. After winning the Hamburg Masters I was nearly sure I would finish the year in the top ten. Then I had another goal: 'Why not try and make the top eight and qualify for the Masters Cup'.

"This is the best year of my life."

Blake now sits in the eighth and final qualifying place but he can be overtaken by Mario Ancic if the Croatian ninth seed wins his quarter-final on Friday.

Haas, the 10th seeded German, could also still make the China showpiece but he needs to win the Paris title and hope Ancic falls before the final.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/AfpNews/200611030506241162501584.82/afp

************************************************************************************************************

Rafael Nadal takes an important step towards the Masters.

The Majorcan tennis player has been practising without any problems. Rafael Nadal has already booked his ticket to travel to China.
After the injury concerns last week the Balearic tennis player started to practise yesterday and the feelings were positive.

Today he will train with a little more intensity and with complete certainty that he will be able to participate in the Masters Cup in Shanghai.

The Majorcan will go to the Asian appointment with the intention of adding his sixth title of the year.

One week ago, Rafael Nadal suffered an abdomina injury while serving and last Sunday had to pull out of the Masters Series in Paris that is being played this week because the pain had not diminished.

The recommended rest period and the proximity of the Masters Cup rang a few alarm bells, although the Majorcan tennis player went to the courts yesterday for a smoooth training session where all the feelings were positive.

He couldn't serve but today he'll do some more demanding training with complete certainty that he will travel to Shanghai.

The definitive test will take place Monday, when he returns to consult doctor Angel Ruiz Cotorro for the last tests to confirm that the injury has disappeared.

If all is well he will set off on Tuesday for Shanghai where the Masters Cup will be celebrated from the 12th to the 20th, the tournament that reunites the eight best players in the world.

*************************************************************************************************************