The world's top eight set to battle it out in Shanghai

The Grand Slams are the highlight of any tennis player's calender. But if any tournament was to run second, then this week's season ending Masters Cup Event in Shanghai is the one. The elite field will battle it out for USD$4.5 million in prizemoney.

This event brings together the top eight ranked players that earnt the right to play throughout the 2007 season. The eight players are then split into two groups of four and play three round robin matches with the top two in each group advancing to the semi finals.

The Gold Group consists of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet. Whilst the Red Group consists of the world number one Roger Federer, Nikolay Davydenko, Andy Roddick and Fernando Gonzalez.

The Red Group looks to be at the mercy of Roger Federer. He has a staggering 34-1 record against players in the group and he should progress through to the semi finals with ease. It will be in the semi finals that things will be a lot tougher for the Swiss champion. Second place in this group is anybody's guess. Davydenko is currently under fierce scrutiny for match fixing allegations, whilst Roddick has had late season knee trouble. If anyone was best equipped to finish in the top two, it would probably be Gonzalez.

The Gold Group looks a lot harder to predict. The opening matches at the 15,000 seat Qi Zhong Tennis Center see Nadal facing Gasquet and Djokovic locking horns with Spaniard David Ferrer.

I am tipping an upset to come from this group today. Although Nadal leads Gasquet 3-0 head to head, all those matches have been on Nadal's favourite Clay surface. Gasquet has been in fine form the last few weeks to qualify for this tournament and I can see him taking this form into the match.

The odds currently available on Betfair of 3.65 for Gasquet looks like fantastic value. Particularly for people that like to bet in the run.

I also see value in the odds of 3.65 about Ferrer. Both these matches provide fantastic value for trading punters.

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