Six places remain to be filled in the end-of-season Masters Cup in Shanghai as the men's season enters a crucial phase.

Only Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the world's top two players, have ensured their spots in the China showpiece, which runs from November 12-19.

Seven of the world's top 10 take the courts at one of three European tournaments this week - in Moscow, Stockholm and Vienna - in an attempt to boost their hopes of making the trip.

Less than 90 points separate number three Ivan Ljubicic and number 10, fellow Croatian Mario Ancic, in the race standings.

In Vienna, all eight seeds are among the top 20 in the race led by Ljubicic (3rd), Andy Roddick (4th), defending Masters Cup champion David Nalbandian (8th) and Marcos Baghdatis (9th).

Roddick trails Ljubicic by two points and both players will need to reach the quarterfinals in order to improve their season point totals.

Baghdatis stands just one point behind Nalbandian, who is playing in his first ATP tournament since the US Open.

Nalbandian is 25 points shy of number seven Tommy Robredo, who is off this week. Nalbandian will need to reach the final to pass the Spaniard.

Novak Djokovic will also look to improve his Masters Cup bid this week in Vienna, coming in on the heels of the title in Metz on Sunday that pushed him up two positions to number 18.

Nadal makes his first appearance since the US Open and enters as the top seed in Stockholm.

Defending champion and Stockholm second seed James Blake moved up three spots to number six in the standings after capturing the Bangkok title two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Nikolay Davydenko could potentially overtake Roddick at number four by winning the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.

The remaining top 10 players in the standings - Federer, Robredo and Ancic - return to action next week in Madrid.

(China Daily October 10, 2006)