Tennis Top 3 Books Shanghai ATP Spots

July 22, 2008 - PRLog -- The Big 3 of tennis has qualified for the 2008 Masters Cup in Shanghai, China, that will run from Nov. 9 to 16 at the Qi Zhong Stadium, ATP Tour director Brad Drewett said in a press conference.

World No. 1 Roger Federer, 2008 Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal, and Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic are the first of the eight qualifiers to earn a spot in the 2008 tennis finale.

Defending champion Roger Federer will try to improve on his 4-1 Masters Cup record. Only three other players—Ilie Nastase, Ivan Lendl, and Pete Sampras—have won the circuit finale four or more times.

But Federer’s domination of the Masters Cup in recent years will likely be put to a test after the classic Wimbledon matchup he had with Nadal early in the year. Nadal, the World No. 2, has earned points dramatically this year not only to pose a threat to Federer’s Masters Cup title, but to the World No. 1 ranking as well.

“It is wonderful to see these three great players, Rafa, Roger and Novak, qualify for the Tennis Masters Cup again. Shanghai 2008 is certain to be a thrilling finale as the battle for the year-end World No.1 ranking is the closest in years,” Drewett said.

Beginning in 2005, Shanghai has played host to the annual Masters Cup of the ATP Tour. Qi Zhong Stadium, located at 5500 Yuan Jiang Road, Minghan District, was built in the Minghan District of Shanghai especially for the ATP Masters Cup.

Nearby districts in Shanghai like city center Huangpu links Minghan to the commercial hubs in China. Huangpu is also home to the 1920s-style Jin Jiang Pacific Hotel (http://www.pacifichotel-shanghai.com/) on Nanjing Road, an oft-visited hotel in Shanghai due to its European splendor and rich Chinese heritage.

From the hotel in Shanghai Huangpu District, the Qi Zhong Stadium can be reached through the shuttle bus line that plies the city center, or through the subway system of the Shanghai Metro.

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The Jin Jiang Pacific Hotel in Shanghai China is a 1920s boutique hotel right at the city center. For reservations and additional information, please visit the official website at http://www.pacifichotel-shanghai.com/