The season is fast approaching its end and there are plenty of positions still to be decided.
The Mutua Madrilena Madrid Masters is the penultimate ATP Masters series event with Paris following later this month. All these events are leading up to who will be participating in the final tournament in China with only the world’s top eight eligible to play.
STANDINGS FROM THE WEEK COMMENCING 13/10/08:
1.Rafael Nadal (1265pts)
2.Roger Federer (921pts)
3.Novak Djokavic (899pts)
4.Andy Murray (520pts)
5.Nikolay Davydenko (417pts)
6.Andy Roddick (354pts)
7.David Ferrer (337pts)
8.Juan Martin Del Potro (312pts)
THE RACING PACK:
9. James Blake (309pts)
10.Stanislas Wawrinka (286pts)
11.Fernando Gonzalez (283pts
12.Gilles Simon (261pts)
Rafael Nadal goes into his first ATP Masters Series as world number one in his homeland, however it is still undecided whether he will finish the year at the top with Federer chasing him down, desperate to retain the crown once again. However while Roger is still tussling with Rafa, Novak Djokovic is only just behind in third and if results go Novak's way he could then claim a career high second place when overtaking Federer. While the Cincinnati Masters winner Andy Murray is in good form and another win here would put pressure on the Serb, who he is looking to catch.
The draw is unkind for Rafa who has talented Latvian Ernest Gulbis and Stan Wawrinka who is very much in the race for a top eight place and also he could meet rival Djokovic in the semi finals, which has always been a difficult match for him. While Roger seems to have the easier draw with only defending champion Nalbandian or in form Del Potro as potential quarter final opponents. Andy Murray has probably the best path to the semi finals out of the top four seeds, as the Briton will be hoping for back to back series win.
The racing pack will be hoping for good performances this week, such as Gonzalez, who possibly faces a difficult test again world number six Andy Roddick in the second round. While James Blake and Gilles Simon will be likely opponents in the second round, which will be an interesting match-up, with both players desperate to gain those vital points to play in the desirable Shanghai Masters Cup event in November.
By Geoff Berkeley
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