This Week in Tennis – 10/1

We are still playing tennis in the Far East this week. Today we move over to Tokyo, Japan. In last week’s two tourneys in Thailand and Malaysia the winners were Richard Gasquet and Juan Monaco. Gasquet beat Gilles Simon 1 and 2 and Monaco beat Julian Benneteau 6-3 in the 3^rd. This is all a prelude to the Shanghai Masters event, which gets under way next week.

Since there is very little to talk about this week, let’s take a look at the present ATP standings. Remember only the top 8 will qualify for the tour finals on November 5^th. Federer is in the top spot with almost 11,800 points. It has been a great year for Roger and his new coach Paul Annacone has helped him. In second place we have Djokovic about 1300 points behind. Novak has not had the dominant year that he had last year be it was still very good. Murray has moved up to number 3 with his Olympic and U.S.Open wins, but he is still over 2000 points behind the Serb. Nadal is dropping back fast as he is not playing and his year was not as good as last year. He has around 7400 points.

Then we have the best of the rest, who although they are all great players are on a different level from the top 4. Ferrer comes in at number 5 with close to 6000 and next is Berdych around 5000 and then Tsonga 500 back from there. These guys will make the top 8.

Fighting to get to London is Del Potro with 3800, Tipsarevic with 3200, Monaco who just won last week with 2800 and Big John Isner at 2600.Barrring a great push by the fringe guys, Del Porto should make the Finals, and he deserves to as well.

This week as I said we are Japan so doesn’t forget to call up America’s Bookie and bet on all the action. See you next week for the Shanghai Masters.