Tennis Masters Cup 2006 - Shanghai

The ATP season reaches its climax by the end of next week, with the Tennis Masters Cup beginning on November 12th. Sports Magician takes a look at the respective seasons of the top 8 players in the world for 2006. The 2005 edition was disrupted by a series of withdrawals, at the time of writing all 8 direct qualifiers for the event this year are expected to be in Shanghai for what will hopefully be an exciting festival of tennis.

The Red Group

Roger Federer (1) - Switzerland
The world no.1 has had another extraordinary year. Currently with an 87-5 record in 2006, only 2 players have beaten him this year (Rafael Nadal & Andy Murray). A total of 11 titles for the season, most importantly collecting 3 Slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon & US Open). In addition adding another 4 Masters titles, winning his 1st indoor Masters event in Madrid and also for the for 1st time winning his hometown tournament in Basel. The only thing missing from Federer this year is a title on clay. Rafael Nadal stood between Federer and Masters titles in Monte Carlo and Rome, and the elusive French Open crown.

Ivan Ljubicic (4) - Croatia
Ljubicic makes his 2nd consecutive appearance at the year end event. A season record of 60-18, the big serving Croat won 3 titles (Chennai, Zagreb & Vienna). Surprisingly, his best performance in a Slam this year came at the French Open where he took advantage of a generous draw to make the semi-finals before losing to eventual champion, Rafael Nadal. Ljubicic made a Masters final early in the year at Indian Wells, but was not overly impressive in Masters events since.

Andy Roddick (5) - USA
A poor first half of the year was brought to life for the American after a partnership was formed with Jimmy Connors. A new found fire and enthusiasm came with that which enabled Roddick to win the Masters event in Cincinnati and follow on from that by reaching the US Open final (the scene of his sole slam success in 2003). In 2005, Roddick had to withdraw from Shanghai with injury which enabled David Nalbandian to enter the tournament and he went on to win the event. Roddick's season win/loss record stands at 48-18.

David Nalbandian (7) - Argentina
The defending champion in Shanghai has had a poor second half of the season after a promising beginning. Continuing his consistent performances in Slams, Nalbandian reached the last 4 at both the Australian and French Opens. As well as semi-final appearances in Masters events in Miami and Rome. During this time he won his only title of the season in Estoril. Following the French Open, Nalbandian has struggled to get his singles season going although has led Argentina to their first Davis Cup final in over 20 years. Nalbandian reached another Masters semi-final in Madrid before missing the final Masters Series event of the year in Paris due to illness. He was 41-16 for the season.

Group Analysis - The collective head to heads stand at Federer (28-10), Ljubicic (9-17), Roddick (9-15), Nalbandian (9-13). Only a fool would suggest that Federer will not qualify for the semi-finals. The question is who will join him? A case can be made for all 3 and don't be surprised if they end up cutting each other up with a win each, leaving qualification to come down to sets won/lost.

The Gold Group

Rafael Nadal (2) - Spain
The young Spaniard who had to miss last year's event through injury had an outstanding first half of the season. Having returned from injury he recorded a title victory in Dubai, beating Federer in the final. And then reached the last 4 in the Miami Masters event. On clay, Nadal was unbeatable. Winning titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome and most importantly defending his French Open title. In the process he surpassed Guillermo Vilas's clay win streak record. Nadal continued his excellent season with a final appearance at Wimbledon. However, his season has been poor since and he has failed to go beyond the quarter-finals in any tournament, including in Madrid where he had won the title in 2005. Nadal was 57-10 for the season.

Nikolay Davydenko (3) - Russia
The largely unheralded human ball machine has had a career season. Showing a great level of consistency in Slams he reached the semi-final at the US Open, and made the last 8 in Australia and France. Winning 5 titles during the season, with the latest the best success of his career, triumphing at the Paris Masters. Keeping busy through the year, Davydenko has played more matches than any of the others in Shanghai. His record stands at 67-26. Tallying 93 matches, 1 more than Roger Federer.

Tommy Robredo (6) - Spain
Another player who has had a career year. Robredo, like Davydenko, won his 1st Masters title this year, on clay in Hamburg (similar to Davydenko's Paris success, Federer & Nadal were not present). A season record of 48-27. His record in the Slams was very ordinary, never going beyond the 4th round. As well as his Masters triumph in Hamburg, in other Masters events he made the last 4 in Cincinnati and Madrid, as well as the last 8 in Monte Carlo.

James Blake (8) - USA
Yet another player who has had a career year, Blake ended up backing into his place for Shanghai. A 'thank you' may be in order from him to Davydenko, as it was the Russian who ensured the American's place amongst the last 8 by defeating Mario Ancic in Paris. Blake won 5 titles during the season (Sydney, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Bangkok & Stockholm). His season record was 56-23. Despite having the best year of his career, Blake was unable to show much in Slams. A last 8 appearance at the US Open was his best showing. In Masters events he made a good start with a final at Indian Wells and then quarter-final in Miami. However, his record since has been poor.

Group Analysis - The collective head to heads stand at Nadal (3-2), Davydenko (2-5), Robredo (2-8), Blake (9-1). On paper, James Blake should be an overwhelming favourite to win the group given his outstanding head to head record with his opponents. 4-0 v Davydenko, 2-0 v Nadal and 3-1 v Robredo. However, things are unlikely to prove that simple. Davydenko comes in with excellent form and confidence. While Nadal comes in with a point to prove after a poor recent run. Expect Nadal and Davydenko to find their way through to the last 4.