Tennis Masters Cup 2008 - Shanghai

This last Saturday my son and I attended the 2008 Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. This event would be the last Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. The event actually started November 9 and finished November 16 with the finals. The event would be for both men's doubles and men's singles tennis. The Masters Cup is the final ATP Tournament of the year and only the top seven players in the world qualify automatically to play. The eighth player goes to the highest placed Grand Slam winner who finishes outside the top seven but within the top 20. Probably many of you are saying whatever that means.

I had decided to get tickets to watch #1 Rafael Nadal and the #2 Roger Federer play. The "B" tickets would cost 780 RMB ($114 US). These were the least expensive seats. We also decided to go for a semi-finals match to be able to watch two doubles matches and two singles matches. The final day would only be two matches, the finals of each event. Well, as far as seeing the #1 and #2 play, it did not happen. Nadal was injured and did not attend this event. Federer was beaten the night before by Andy Murray and thus eliminated.

The Masters Cup is held at the Shanghai Qi Zhong Tennis Center. This stadium is an engineering marvel that has a magnolia shaped retractable roof so games can either be played indoors or outdoors. You can see the roof above. Also, it has another 40 indoor and outdoor courts.

The actual facilities are gorgeous. All the sponsors had different booths and a few games to play and win prizes. I have been to many Chinese sporting events and have not been impressed with the ability to serve food for long events. Usually only snacks are available, but here there was a wide variety of selection. Yu could eat pizza, hot dogs, Chinese food, and many other items. Also, the players would come and autograph your items if you would wait at the players entrance. We waited a few minutes, but really got tired of waiting and decided to see the matches and eat some food.

The first matches were both doubles matches. The first event would see Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic (#2) defeat Pablo Cuevas and Luis Horna (#7). Then we got to see the American world #1 of Bob and Mike Bryan defeat Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski (#8). It was great to see the American team win. Photos below of the two matches. The Bryan brothers are in red and blue, second photo.

The featured singles matches would feature Novak Djokovic (#3) defeating Gilles Simon (#7). This match was excellent. It would go the three sets 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. It was a battle to the very end with Simon putting up a very good fight. Pictures Below.

The last match would feature Andy Murray (#4) losing to Nikolay Davydenko (#5). The day before Murray defeated Federer in a three hour three set match. It was probably the best match of the tournament. It had completely worn out Murray and you could tell during the match. Oh well, better luck next year in London!

These matches were the first time I had watched tennis live. It was a wonderful experience and I would do it again. I would go again. it is much more enjoyable in person than on TV. My son liked the tennis, although he said he did get bored at the end. I understand, it is pretty tough for a young guy like him to watch so much tennis in one day, but he said he would like to return next year to see Nadal. Next year, Shanghai will hold an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Tournament. It is one of the ATP's nine top tier event and it will be the only one in Asia.