Federer and Nadal secure spots in Masters Cup

London, July 17: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have secured their places in the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Swiss world number one Federer has compiled a 36-5 record this year after reaching six finals from his nine tournament appearances.

''I look forward to returning to Shanghai to defend my title.

Winning there was a perfect ending to last season,'' Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Federer said in a statement yesterday.

Second-ranked Nadal leads the ATP circuit with a 51-8 record this year and has led the Race standings since April 30.

The 21-year-old Spaniard won his first title of the year in Indian Wells before extending his professional era record-winning streak on clay to 81 matches. He beat Federer in the Monte-Carlo and Roland Garros finals.

''I am very happy to have qualified for the Masters again this year,'' said Nadal, whose only defeat on clay in 2007 was to Federer in the Hamburg final.

''This was one of my goals for the year and I have managed to do it pretty early so that's great.'' After also reaching the Wimbledon final, Nadal leads the Race with 886 points from 12 tournaments. Federer has 801 points from nine tournaments, 240 points ahead of his nearest rival, Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

The eight-man Masters Cup will be held for the third year at Qi Zhong Stadium from November 11-18.

Reuters>