Federer's Shanghai hopes boosted by draw

SHANGHAI, Nov 7 (Reuters) Roger Federer's bid for a fourth Tennis Masters Cup title was given a boost when the world number one received a seemingly uncomplicated draw today.

The Swiss was drawn with American Andy Roddick, Russia's Nikolay Davydenko and Chilean Fernando Gonzalez at the eight-man tournament beginning in Shanghai this weekend.

Federer, who has won the prestigious season-ending event for three of the last four years, has a combined win-loss record of 34-1 against his three Group One opponents.

World number two Rafael Nadal will face Serbian Novak Djokovic, Frenchman Richard Gasquet and fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in round-robin competition.

The top two players from each group go through to the semi-finals. Nadal will play Gasquet in Sunday's opening match, to be followed by Djokovic against Ferrer.

The final of the 4.45-million dollars tournament takes place on November 18.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, Editing by Alastair Himmer) REUTERS RaR PK RAI1727