Shanghai Masters

Federer, Ferrer shocked; Djokovic, Nadal through

ESPN staff

October 10, 2013

Highlights: Federer, Ferrer bow out at Shanghai Masters

Roger Federer's miserable 2013 season continued after he was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters by Gael Monfils 4-6 7-6(5) 3-6.

The Swiss, now world No. 7, began sluggishly and his French opponent took advantage, edging the first set. But Federer rallied and won four straight points in the second set tie-break to claw his way back into the match.

But Monfils power shone through in the third, taking the first of three match points.

Race to London

The battle to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals is one of the most open in recent years, writes ESPN's resident expert Chris Wilkinson.
With Andy Murray already out, here are the top 12 players pushing for a spot at the season-ending showpiece:
1. Rafa Nadal (11,160 points)
2. Novak Djokovic (11,120)
3. David Ferrer (6,710)
4. Juan Martin Del Potro (4,925)
5. Tomas Berdych (4,610)
6. Roger Federer (4,515)
7. Stan Wawrinka (3,150)
8. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (3,115)
9. Richard Gasquet (3,095)
10. Milos Raonic (2,815)
11. Tommy Haas (2,355)
12. John Isner (2,115)

The defeat means Federer is still not guaranteed a place at the O2 Arena, London, for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals.

Federer is currently seventh in the list, with Stan Wawrinka currently breathing down his neck. But with Andy Murray already confirmed to have pulled out, the next spot will go to the player in ninth.

"It was the goal at the beginning of the season to qualify for [London]," Federer said. "I consider it the absolute best of the best tournament out there, so I want to be part of that."

Federer will play the ATP 500 event in his hometown of Basle next week, followed by the Paris Masters the week after.

Monfils will now face world No. 2 Novak Djokovic, who breezed past Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-3. The Italian rarely troubled Djokovic, who looks to have shaken off his foot injury.

Newly crowned world No. 1 Rafael Nadal comfortably advanced with a 6-1 7-6(5) victory over Carlos Berlocq. Nadal was barely tested in the opening set before his Argentinian opponent rallied in the second, but ultimately the Spaniard proved far too strong.

Earlier in the day, Florian Mayer stunned third seed and world No. 4 David Ferrer 6-4 6-3.

Joining Federer and Ferrer in being dumped out of the third round was fourth-seed Tomas Berdych, who was upset by Nicolas Almagro. Berdych took the first set, but his Spanish opponent rallied to win in three, 6-7(6) 6-3 7-6(4).

But there were no such problems for seventh-seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who saw off Kei Nishikori 7-6(5) 6-0. Likewise for eighth-seed Stanislas Wawrinka as he toppled tenth-seed Milos Raonic 7-6(2) 6-4 in less than 90 minutes on court.

Elsewhere, last week's Japan Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro was handed a place in the fourth round after Tommy Haas withdrew with injury.

In the doubles, Britain's Jamie Murray continued his good relationship with Australian partner John Peers by reaching the third round thanks to a 6-4 6-2 victory over Julien Benneteau and Nenad Zimonjic.