Roddick, Berdych and Ferrer grab last three London spots
The last three berths for the year-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals have been determined on Thursday with Andy Roddick from the United States of America, Tomas Berdych from Czech Republic and David Ferrer of Spain rounding out the elite eight man field
in London.
All three contenders were given a place in the season-end event as a result of world number nine Fernando Verdasco falling to Gael Monfils on Thursday and by Andy’s earlier singles victory over Ernests Gulbis. The professional tennis ace, Andy Roddick from
the United States of America who is currently ranked number eight in the South African Airways ATP list has now enough points to stay ahead of Jurgen Melzer of Austria even if Jurgen captures the BNP Paribas crown this week.
Tomas, Roddick and Ferrer have now joined a blockbuster singles line-up along with Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling. All the world’s top eight players will fight out for the final crown of the year in London.
In doubles, Oliver Marach and Lukasz Kubot also registered their names as the fifth duo to make their way into the year finale after posting victory over David Marrero and Nicolas Almagro. The last three doubles spots will be decided later this week in Paris.
Tomas, Roddick and Ferrer’s qualification also implies that their self-portraits, created using paint-covered tennis balls, will be exhibited as part of the ‘Art of Tennis’ exhibition at La Galleria Pall Mall later this month in London.
The 25-year-old Tomas is the only contender who is playing in London on the very first occasion in his career. He made his way into his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon back in July and is currently ranked number six in the South African Airways ATP list.
Apart from his runner up appearance at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami competition back in April, Tomas was also a semi finalist at Roland Garros and a quarter finalist in seven other events. He will finish in the top ten on the very first occasion
in his career.
David, 28, on the other hand, who previously qualified for the year finale back in 2007 when he finished number five, also made his way into the final that season in Shanghai before falling at the hands of world number two Roger Federer. He won crowns in
Acapulco back in February as well as Valencia last week while advanced into the final in Buenos Aires and Rome.
The American tennis ace, Andy Roddick qualified into the elite eight man field on the eight occasions in a row. The 28-year-old last season despite of qualifying couldn’t play due to his knee injury. He is a three time semi-finalist in the year-end championship.
The right hander started off his 2010 campaign with his first crown in Australia and just three months later won another title in Miami. He is the third active trophies leader with 29 on the ATP World Tour, trailing only Nadal and Federer. Andy has grabbed
at least one ATP crown for ten straight seasons on the tour.
“Well, I think it is a goal at the beginning of every year. It is certainly an accomplishment every season. It is an honor to qualify once and each time you realize how tough it actually is. You cannot just play well for one week. It is the culmination
of doing it week after week on tour,” reflected Roddick on Thursday.
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