ATP 2006 Masters Cup Groups Announced

World No. 1 Roger Federer heads the round robin "group of death" next week at the Masters Cup in Shanghai, paired with the giant indoor games of Ivan Ljubicic and Andy Roddick, and nemesis David Nalbandian.

In the second round robin group is Rafael Nadal, trying to shake off an abdominal injury, the in-form Nikolay Davydenko, James Blake and Tommy Robredo.

Federer and Nalbandian will kick off on opening day Sunday with a rematch of last year's final, followed by Roddick vs. Ljubicic in a serving throw-down.

The Swiss is 17-2 at the Masters Cup, winning the title in 2003 (d. Agassi) and 2004 (d. Hewitt).

Federer leads Nalbandian 7-6 in their career head-to-head, dominating the Argentine in seven of their last eight meetings. Roddick leads Ljubicic 5-3 but has lost his last two meetings against the Croat.