Nalbandian Beats Federer Again; Murray v. Gasquet Today in Paris Tennis

David Nalbandian shocked World No. 1 Roger Federer for the second time in three weeks at the Paris Tennis Masters on Thursday. Nalbandian, who upset Federer in the Madrid final two weeks ago, defeated the Swiss again, this time in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(3). The win leveled their career head-to-head at 8-8, amd moved Nalbandian into the quarterfinals today against David Ferrer.

World No. 2 and three-time Roland Garros champ Rafael Nadal looks to remain undefeated (23-0) in Paris going into Friday’s quarterfinals, while five contenders for the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup are battling it out for the two remaining spots. Nadal and countryman Ferrer have already clinched berths in the season-ending championships. All eight players in the quarterfinals are in the current Top 20 of the ATP 2007 Race.

There are five players left in contention for the final two positions (current No. 20 Nalbandian can’t get in Top 8) for the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, which begins Nov. 11. The two key matches on Friday are: No. 9 Andy Murray vs. No. 10 Richard Gasquet and No. 8 Tommy Robredo vs. No. 18 Marcos Baghdatis.

MURRAY FASTFACTS
Comes into quarterfinals of AMS Paris with 43-13 record (36-11 on hard).

Season highlighted by excellent start, making semis or better at five of first six tournaments, including winning his second career ATP singles title at San Jose, another final at Doha and three consecutive semifinals at Memphis and ATP Masters Series stops in Indian Wells and Miami; only pre-quarterfinal defeat in that stretch was at Australian Open (he still won three matches to reach fourth round, falling in five sets to Nadal).

Wrist injury suffered in Hamburg put him out of action for over three months.

Made return halfway through summer hardcourt season, reaching second round at AMS Canada, falling first round at AMS Cincinnati and reaching third round at US Open, but four weeks ago, in first ATP main draw since US Open loss, reached third final of year at Metz (finishing runner-up to Robredo); then reached third round at AMS Madrid (l. to Nadal) and won second title of year last week at St. Petersburg (d. Verdasco in straight sets in final).

Has a 14-7 record in AMS events this year coming into quarterfinals, his best results being back-to-back semifinals at Indian Wells and Miami (falling to Djokovic both times); reached third round at AMS Madrid, second round at AMS Canada but fell first round three times.

Has a 27-17 career record in AMS events, his best results being semifinal finishes at 2006 Canada and at Indian Wells and Miami earlier this year (see above).

GASQUET FASTFACTS
Comes into quarterfinals of AMS Paris with 47-21 season record (27-10 on hard)

Has had a breakthrough year, highlighted by reaching his career-first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon (d. World No. 3 Roddick in quarterfinals; l. to World No. 1 Federer); after that result debuted in Top 10, spending five weeks amongst the game’s elite before dropping out.

Had a disappointing end to summer, withdrawing prior to second round match at US Open w/viral illness, but has rebounded since, winning his first ATP singles title of the season at Mumbai and finishing runner-up at Tokyo (d. Berdych in semifinals; l. to Ferrer in final); in his third and fourth events since US Open two weeks ago, dropped first match at AMS Madrid (l. to Mathieu) and second match at Lyon last week (l. to Tsonga).

Pre-Wimbledon highlights include runner-up finish at Estoril (l. to Djokovic), semifinals at Sydney (l. to Moya) and four quarterfinals (incl. AMS Monte-Carlo - l. to Ferrero). (ATP Digital Services)