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Top aces ready to fire at Qizhong
By David Ni |
October 10, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ALTHOUGH Chinese fans will lament the disappointing withdrawals of former world No. 1 Roger Federer and currently top-ranked Novak Djokovic from the Shanghai Rolex Masters this week, the ATP 1000 tournament should still be an exciting one as their absence opens up a chance for other players to take a tilt at the championship.
Of these, the other two in the top four, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, will be eager to add another title to their season's meager hauls, Serbian Djokovic having won most of the tournaments on offer, including three of four grand slam titles.
Nadal, the world's No. 2-ranked player, is looking forward to wining the Shanghai title for the first time, while defending champion Murray, ranked No. 4 in the world, will be seeking to continue his success at the Qizhong Tennis Center in suburban Minhang District.
In the absence of world No. 1 Djokovic and No. 3 Federer, on paper, at least, it should be an easy ride for Spain's Nadal and Briton Murray at the Shanghai Masters but there could be some surprises in store.
Nadal, a 10-time grand slam winner, also is the second-best player of the year with 61 wins and 11 losses. Six of his defeats have been against Djokovic. Without Djokovic and Swiss maestro Federer, Nadal is nearly unbeatable.
The fact that Nadal has never won in Shanghai could also be a motivation for the muscular Mallorcan. Following Federer's withdrawal, Nadal likely will enjoy the most support among Chinese tennis fans and this may prove to be an advantage for the Spaniard.
The only drawback for Nadal is that although he has proven himself on hardcourts - he won the 2010 US Open - it is not his favorite surface.
Nadal will probably have to overcome Germany's Florian Mayer, Czech Tomas Berdych and compatriot David Ferrer before reaching the final, according to the draw.
Murray, on the other half of the draw as the second seed, will be the biggest obstacle in Nadal's way to the trophy.
Defending champion
The Scotland native and defending champion was the runner-up at the Australian Open, losing to Djokovic, and reached the semifinals at the US Open, where he lost to Nadal.
And even though Murray's win over Djokovic in Cincinnati was due to the Serbian's injury, it may give him the confidence he needs. After all, Djokovic was in the midst of his best season.
Murray is also at his best on hardcourts, which makes him dangerous at the Shanghai Masters. He is also playing a full schedule. Murray took part in the Thailand Open and was meeting Nadal in the final of the Japan Open today, before both head to Shanghai.
The Scot is looking for a big breakthrough as he has been ranked No. 4 since 2008 and has been overshadowed by the success of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer. With a strong finish to the year, Murray could pass Federer in the rankings and reach a career-high No. 3.
The first challenge for the 24-year-old should probably be the Swiss Stanistas Wawrinka in the third round. After that he could meet American Mardy Fish, his strongest opponent before he takes on Nadal.
Nadal and Murray, having reached the Tokyo final, will hopefully be in good shape to make a run for the final showdown in Shanghai, which promises to be a classic match, if it comes about, and will, to some extent, make up for the absence of Djokovic and Federer.
With players seeking points for the prestigious season-ending Masters Cup in London, the top seeds will have to be wary.
Players such as Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Fish and Ferrer are capable of knocking out the big guns.
Shanghai has produced surprises in the past as Russian Nikolay Davydenko walked away with the title in 2009. He was ranked No. 8 in the world at the time.
Regardless of who wins or loses, the Shanghai Rolex Masters is sure to provide local fans with a lot of exciting, incredible tennis along with a good dose of drama.
Traffic information
Fans heading to the Shanghai Rolex Masters, which will run through October 16, can take shuttle buses from major Metro stations in Minhang District to Qizhong Tennis Center.
The shuttle buses will be available at Xinzhuang Station on Metro Line 1 and 5 from 11am to 7pm every day during the tournament. The route will include one stop at Zhuanqiao Station on Line 5.
The trip from Xinzhuang to Qizhong should take about 30 minutes.
The shuttles will go from the stadium back to the subway stations between 4pm and 10pm.
The local organizer also set up a night express bus from October 9 to 15. It will take fans to the bus hub on Caoxi Road, near Shanghai Stadium in Xuhui District.
The night express will leave the stadium around 9:30pm to 10pm, depending on when the last match ends.
Organizer Juss Event said they wanted more fans to take public transport this year.
Of these, the other two in the top four, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, will be eager to add another title to their season's meager hauls, Serbian Djokovic having won most of the tournaments on offer, including three of four grand slam titles.
Nadal, the world's No. 2-ranked player, is looking forward to wining the Shanghai title for the first time, while defending champion Murray, ranked No. 4 in the world, will be seeking to continue his success at the Qizhong Tennis Center in suburban Minhang District.
In the absence of world No. 1 Djokovic and No. 3 Federer, on paper, at least, it should be an easy ride for Spain's Nadal and Briton Murray at the Shanghai Masters but there could be some surprises in store.
Nadal, a 10-time grand slam winner, also is the second-best player of the year with 61 wins and 11 losses. Six of his defeats have been against Djokovic. Without Djokovic and Swiss maestro Federer, Nadal is nearly unbeatable.
The fact that Nadal has never won in Shanghai could also be a motivation for the muscular Mallorcan. Following Federer's withdrawal, Nadal likely will enjoy the most support among Chinese tennis fans and this may prove to be an advantage for the Spaniard.
The only drawback for Nadal is that although he has proven himself on hardcourts - he won the 2010 US Open - it is not his favorite surface.
Nadal will probably have to overcome Germany's Florian Mayer, Czech Tomas Berdych and compatriot David Ferrer before reaching the final, according to the draw.
Murray, on the other half of the draw as the second seed, will be the biggest obstacle in Nadal's way to the trophy.
Defending champion
The Scotland native and defending champion was the runner-up at the Australian Open, losing to Djokovic, and reached the semifinals at the US Open, where he lost to Nadal.
And even though Murray's win over Djokovic in Cincinnati was due to the Serbian's injury, it may give him the confidence he needs. After all, Djokovic was in the midst of his best season.
Murray is also at his best on hardcourts, which makes him dangerous at the Shanghai Masters. He is also playing a full schedule. Murray took part in the Thailand Open and was meeting Nadal in the final of the Japan Open today, before both head to Shanghai.
The Scot is looking for a big breakthrough as he has been ranked No. 4 since 2008 and has been overshadowed by the success of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer. With a strong finish to the year, Murray could pass Federer in the rankings and reach a career-high No. 3.
The first challenge for the 24-year-old should probably be the Swiss Stanistas Wawrinka in the third round. After that he could meet American Mardy Fish, his strongest opponent before he takes on Nadal.
Nadal and Murray, having reached the Tokyo final, will hopefully be in good shape to make a run for the final showdown in Shanghai, which promises to be a classic match, if it comes about, and will, to some extent, make up for the absence of Djokovic and Federer.
With players seeking points for the prestigious season-ending Masters Cup in London, the top seeds will have to be wary.
Players such as Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Fish and Ferrer are capable of knocking out the big guns.
Shanghai has produced surprises in the past as Russian Nikolay Davydenko walked away with the title in 2009. He was ranked No. 8 in the world at the time.
Regardless of who wins or loses, the Shanghai Rolex Masters is sure to provide local fans with a lot of exciting, incredible tennis along with a good dose of drama.
Traffic information
Fans heading to the Shanghai Rolex Masters, which will run through October 16, can take shuttle buses from major Metro stations in Minhang District to Qizhong Tennis Center.
The shuttle buses will be available at Xinzhuang Station on Metro Line 1 and 5 from 11am to 7pm every day during the tournament. The route will include one stop at Zhuanqiao Station on Line 5.
The trip from Xinzhuang to Qizhong should take about 30 minutes.
The shuttles will go from the stadium back to the subway stations between 4pm and 10pm.
The local organizer also set up a night express bus from October 9 to 15. It will take fans to the bus hub on Caoxi Road, near Shanghai Stadium in Xuhui District.
The night express will leave the stadium around 9:30pm to 10pm, depending on when the last match ends.
Organizer Juss Event said they wanted more fans to take public transport this year.
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