LONDON - World number four Lleyton Hewitt has secured a spot in next month's season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, the ATP said.
Hewitt, fourth in the ATP Race, will join top-ranked Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, American Andy Roddick and Australian Open champion Marat Safin in the tournament.
The Australian qualified for the elite eight-man field event because there are no longer enough ATP tournament points available for four other players to pass him in the race.
Hewitt has posted a 37-9 record in 2005, winning the title in Sydney while reaching two other finals, including the Australian Open.
The 24-year-old Australian missed 2-1/2 months of this season due to foot and rib injuries.
In 2002, when the Tennis Masters Cup was last held in Shanghai, Hewitt defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero to claim his second consecutive title in the event.
The remaining three singles spots will be decided over the next two weeks.
The top seven players in the ATP 2005 Race plus an eligible grand slam champion qualify for the eight-man round-robin event from November 13-20.
- REUTERS
Tennis: Hewitt qualifies for Masters Cup
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