Ivan Ljubicic and
Andy Roddick joined world No. 1
Roger Federer and No. 2
Rafael Nadal in clinching spots at the eight-man year-end Masters Cup field Tuesday, even though Ljubicic is inactive this week and Roddick is sidelined with an ankle injury.
The Croat and American rounded out the first four of the Elite Eight positions in Shanghai when two other contenders,
Tommy Robredo and
Marcos Baghdatis, suffered first-round losses in St. Petersburg and Lyon respectively.
Already in the No. 8 spot but in danger of being overtaken this week, Robredo has just one event left to make up qualifying points, next week at the regular-season finale at the Masters Series-Paris. Baghdatis, in the No. 10 spot, must have a big week in Paris and hope the other contenders come up short.
Depending on results later this week,
Nikolay Davydenko and
David Nalbandian could clinch the No. 5 and 6 spots respectively.
It is the second straight year-end appearance for Ljubicic, and the fourth for Roddick.
Other players still in contention for a year-end Masters Cup slot are
James Blake,
Fernando Gonzalez,
Mario Ancic,
David Ferrer, and
Tommy Haas.
