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Davydenko's cup place is confirmed

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PARIS, France -- Nikolay Davydenko became the fifth player to secure his place in the season-ending $3.7 million Masters Cup in Shanghai, the ATP said on Monday.

The 25-year-old Russian, who reached the semis on his Masters Cup debut last season, joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Ivan Ljubicic and Andy Roddick in the eight-player line-up.

The U.S. Open semifinalist secured his place for the November 12-19 event at the Qi Zhong Stadium despite a second-round exit in St. Petersburg last week.

Reigning Masters Cup champion David Nalbandian of Argentina is sixth in the standings ahead of American James Blake, with Spain's Tommy Robredo in the vulnerable eighth spot.

Chilean Fernando Gonzalez is just eight points behind Robredo after his defeat to world number one Federer in the final of the Swiss Indoors in Basel while Croatia's Mario Ancic is 23 points behind the Spaniard after winning the St. Petersburg crown.

The pair are scheduled to meet in the third round of this week's Paris Masters, the last qualification event for the Shanghai showdown.

"I have a good chance to qualify for Shanghai, which I don't want to miss," Gonzalez said. "It would be great to qualify for the Masters Cup."

Blake is drawn to meet Tommy Haas in the third round in Paris, with the German standing 12th in the rankings and needing to win the tournament to qualify.

A successful defense of his Paris Masters title is also required by Czech Tomas Berdych, the number 13, if he is to reach his first Masters Cup.

ATP Tour Champions Top 10:

1 Roger Federer (Switzerland) 1524

2 Rafael Nadal (Spain) 854

3 Ivan Ljubicic (Croatia) 479

4 Andy Roddick (U.S.) 463

5 Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) 445

6 David Nalbandian (Argentina) 439

7 James Blake (U.S.) 411

8 Tommy Robredo (Spain) 410

9 Fernando Gonzalez (Chile) 402

10 Mario Ancic (Croatia) 387

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