I'm under the impression that Fed, Nadal, Ljubicic, Roddick and Davydenko have all qualified for Shanghai. As for the final 3 places, what results at Paris are required for the following to qualify:

Robredo
(not at Paris) Nalbandian
Blake
Gonzalez
Ancic

Any number crunchers on here know what's required in terms of points, and what's on offer at Paris?

I was just looking at the current situation and I think if both Blake and / or Robredo win today, then Nalbandian will fall to eighth place. If Blake loses, he will go to Shanghai but only if Robredo loses. Nalbandian should qualify unless Ancic gets to the semi final even if Blake and Robredo both win today. I think ...

If Tommy Haas were to win the title, then he might sneak in.

What about Gonzalez? He lost the other day, but is he safe for Shanghai, or is he relying on Blake and Robredo to lose?

No, Gonzalez is out sadly. But if anyone gets injured then he's currently first reserve.

OK, so we now have:

Federer
Nadal
Ljubicic
Roddick
Davydenko
Robredo
Nalbandian

...leaving one more. Gonzalez and Blake are apparently out of the running, but who is still in the running?

I know Ancic still has a chance of qualifying, but who else is still in with a shout - Haas? And what results are required for Haas/Ancic to qualify for Shanghai?

If Ancic beats Davydenko, then Ancic goes to Shanghai in place of James Blake. Unless, that is, he were to lose to Haas in the final, in which case Haas would go to Shanghai as the eighth qualifier.

Blake needs Ancic to lose today and for Haas not to win on Sunday.

There are rumours and counter-rumours that Nadal may decide to rest his abdominal strain rather than fly to China, in which case 9th place is also a qualifying spot.

I think the qualifying for Shanghai has really spiced up the Paris tournament this year. Its a shame that only one of Haas, Blake and Ancic can go, as the three of them have had an excellent year. If I have a slight preference, it is for Ancic to go to Shanghai. We need a serve-volleyer at the top of tennis, and he'll bring a lot to the tournament.

Its a shame Blake won't be going, I think he has had a great year and has been really consistent, bar a few minor blips. Ancic, I guess it would be great for him to make it to Shanghai too, like MrI says, he would add another dimension to the tournament with serve and volley. I've always thought that he is a bit of an underachiever, or the pressure gets to him in the slams, he alsways seems to be tipped as someone who will cause a whole lot of damage in the slams then maybe falls a tad under pressure? Did he lose to Fed in the last 2 slams, if he did then the draw doesn't help him I guess.

I'm gutted that Gonzo is out of the running :( He's done so well recently he just seemed to deserve it!!! I guess he would have been pretty tired for Shanghai mind you after making - was it 3 finals in as many weeks???? Still a shame for him though :(

Actually, if my understanding of NickCirca's message is correct, then Blake still has more than a decent chance of going to Shanghai. *If* Ancic loses today to Davydenko (possible) and Haas fails to win the tournament, then surely Blake qualifies?

But as Ljubicic, Nalbandian, Nadal and Roddick have all claimed injury and illness in the past week, it is just possible that one or more of them were telling the truth and will be absent in China, so I wouldn't completely give up hope about Gonzo Jo!

uh-huh - i dunno, i found it odd that roddick and Ljubcic pulled out the minute it was confirmed that they'd qualified for Shanghai. So bet they'll be there. nadal's had plenty of time off, so he'll be ok. not sure about nalby - but i guess that's all Gonzo needs isn't it - one person to back out???

Yes, both of these things need to happen for Blake to qualify.

Well he has ( Blake) Good for him.
Poor old Tommy though retiring Ill. I doubt he would have won Paris though.

Ok, dumb question maybe....

Anyone know if they have the round robin groups sorted out in world rankings (i.e. one group with 1,3,5 and 7 and the other with 2,4,6,8) , or do they draw from 4 pots (4 pots containing 1,2 and 3,4 and 5,6 and 7,8 respectively)?

The second scenario sounds more likely to me. Guess I shouldn't be so lazy and should go find out for myself....

Gav

It's a draw with first and second seed in opposing groups.