The Race to the Final Eight Heats Up - ATP Championships

The quarterfinals of the Valencia and the Basel Open is now concluded and the players left who can still make an impact on the Top 8 positions are the following:

1.  Roger Federer #2 - 7495 points
2. Novak Djokovic #3 - 7145 points
3.  Robin Soderling #5 - 4780 points
4.  David Ferrer #8 - 3325 points
5.  Andy Roddick # 9 - 3260 points
6.  Nikolay Davydenko #11 - 2955 points
7.  Gael Monfils #14 - 2485 points

This is important since eight players are needed to complete the lineup in the upcoming ATP Championships to be held in London.  Obviously, no matter what happens from this point on, Federer, Djokovic and Soderling are already shoo-ins.

However, the difference between positions #6 (where Berdych is) and #14 (where Monfils is) is just 1230 points.  The championship points for Valencia is 500 points.  Basel should have similar points.

Andy Roddick is just 65 points away from David Ferrer and 70 points from Verdasco.  However, he has to win the Basel Open since Ferrer is also playing in Valencia.  He might overtake Verdasco though.  Roddick's task is daunting since Federer is in his side of the draw - and if he does win, he may possibly, have to defeat Djokovic.  Not an easy path!

Davydenko is 370 points away from Ferrer and 375 points from Verdasco.  He may reach the final in Valencia, since his next opponent is not a Top 10 player.  In the finals, he could possibly meet Ferrer or Soderling. 

Verdasco and Berdych may lose their slots since they are not actively playing and if the rivals mentioned above are successful in their championship bids.

Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are the other definite shoo-ins for the ATP Championships.