Ljubicic Clinches Cup Spot, Roddick Wins at Paris

Croat Ivan Ljubicic clinched the eighth and final spot at the year-ending Masters Cup Friday in Paris, eliminating fellow contender and No. 14 seed Tommy Robredo 6-1 in the third set while at the same time top seed Andy Roddick eliminated No. 10 Dave Ferrer 7-6 in the third, and unseeded Tomas Berdych beat contender and No. 7 seed Gaston Gaudio 6-0 in the second set to finalize the eight-man field in Shanghai.

"It's an absolute dream come true," Ljubicic said. "This is what I have been aiming for the whole way. After winning a Grand Slam, I think this is the biggest achievement as you have to play well for the whole year to reach this goal...I played the tour event in Shanghai in 1999. I can only imagine what the center court will be like for the Masters Cup. I think the Chinese are probably the best organizers in the world and it will be an amazing event to play in. I will fly there probably on Monday or Tuesday and I can't wait to get there."

Ferrer, who earlier this week showed his indoor acumen with a win over Tommy Haas, held two match points against Roddick but couldn't close the deal.

"I got out there and it was just stiff," said Roddick who suffered from a sore back during the match. "It got progressively worse the more I moved. I just didn't feel real comfortable for the whole match."

Roddick said his participation in the Saturday semifinals is in doubt.

"I wish I could give you a definite answer," Roddick said. "If I had to play in an hour, I wouldn't be able to but a lot can be done from now until then."

Also a winner was No. 8 seed Radek Stepanek who ousted shoulder-ailing No. 3 seed Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets.

On tap for Saturday in Paris are (1) Roddick vs. (6) Ljubicic, and (8) Stepanek vs. Berdych, and in the doubles Hrbaty/Johansson vs. (4) Knowles/Nestor, and (3) Black/Ullyett vs. (2) Bryan/Bryan.