it's the gents turn

As the ladies of WTA had just entered the final rounds in Doha (Venus will play Zvonareva for the SE Championships title), I'm trying to taper down my excitement but today ladies & gents is the start of the ATP Tennis Masters Cup 2008 in China. This will be the last time that the year-end tourney will be staged in the ultramodern Qi Zhong Stadium in Shanghai before moving to The O2 in London and will be renamed ATP World Tour Finals next year. Yay!


(from L-R: Davydenko, Simon, Murray, Djokovic, Federer, Tsonga, Del Potro)

Ok, that's the official portrait for this year. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... hey wait a minute! What happened to Andy Roddick? Did they mistakenly photochopped him out? Or maybe he was too busy philandering with Brooklyn Decker (isn`t she hot or what). Anyways, I`ve gotta give the men props for looking neat and crisp with the coat & tie. A far cry from what they usually look on court. Is that Muhammad Al... ahhh it`s Tsonga.

Alright, here`s some short facts about them players.

Roger Federer (SUI)
- defending champion, chasing his 5th Masters Cup to level with the all time title matrix of Sampras and Lendl.


Novak Djokovic (SRB)
- first Serbian to win a Grand Slam (Australian Open `08), 0-3 record in this tournament


Andy Murray (GBR)
- first appearance at Tennis Masters Cup, ranked number 4 in the world, runner-up US Open `08


Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
- 4th straight appearance, best showing was a semifinal exit last 2005


Andy Roddick (USA)
- 6th time he had qualified for the circuit finale but never been passed the semifinals in 3 occasions (`03, `04, `07)


Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)
- marks his debut at the season-ender, Paris Masters winner


Juan Martin del Potro (ARG)
- first appearance, the youngest on the field, currently number 8 in the world


Gilles Simon (FRA)
- Nadal`s replacement, one of 3 players who have beaten the top 3 players this season

With the absence of world number one Nadal this year who pulled out from the event the last minute due to tendonitis and fatigue, Federer will let out a little sigh of relief as the road to the year-end title is slightly paved on his way. But still, he`s left with an uphill battle with the pack as everyone is hungry for the last points up for grabs of the season and the cup itself.

Again, matches will start today at 2pm (Shanghai Time). And for further info check the official site of the Masters Cup and your local listings for tv schedules.

Predictions: Murray Murray Murray!