Federer faces choppy ride to secure top spot 

Source: ReutersRodger Federer

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will step on board the riverboat to the ATP World Tour Finals on Monday with the world number one ranking in their sights.

After a season that began with Federer in floods of tears at the Australian Open and Spain's Nadal seemingly on the verge of complete domination, men's tennis has come full circle with the Swiss maestro once again leaving the rest in his wake.

As London's O2 Arena on the River Thames prepares to welcome the world's top eight singles players, tournament organisers could not have wished for a better scenario to launch the city's five-year stint as hosts.

Federer, who completed a career grand slam at the French Open this year before claiming a sixth Wimbledon title to surpass Pete Sampras's record of 14 majors, is firmly in the driving seat to end the year as number one.

But Wednesday's draw has opened up the possibility of some late twists and turns in the season finale, which splits eight of the world's top nine players into two round-robin groups.

Federer, a four-time winner, must face Britain's world number four Andy Murray, a player he has lost to on six of their nine meetings.

Juan Martin del Potro, the Argentine who stunned the Swiss in the US Open final, and dangerous Spaniard Fernando Verdasco also await in Group A.

Nadal, who trails Federer by 945 points but could pocket 1,500 if he leaves London undefeated, will take on in-form Novak Djokovic and Russian stalwart Nikolay Davydenko in Group B.

The Spaniard must also face Sweden's Robin Soderling, the man who ended his hopes of five consecutive French Open titles.

On paper, Nadal has the easier task, but he has not looked in peak condition in recent weeks.

The Spaniard lost heavily to Serbia's Djokovic in the quarter-finals of last week's Paris Masters after having saved five match points in a previous match against Nicolas Almagro.

Fireworks

That typically gutsy display against Almagro - and Federer's surprise loss to Julien Benneteau - kept the race to be number one alive at least, but Australian Open champion Nadal will probably need to win the title unless the Swiss falls at the group stage.

With 255,000 tickets already sold, tournament director Chris Kermode has promised to turn up the razzamatazz at the 02 Arena, a huge fabric dome boasting restaurants, bars and a cinema.

Music and fireworks will add to the on-court theatrics and should help put to bed the common assumption that tennis in England exists only for the Wimbledon fortnight.

"Already it's the biggest indoor tennis event ever staged and the interest has been phenomenal," Kermode said. "It's all systems go now and all hands to the deck."

Kermode hopes the tournament will break new ground in terms of public access and player satisfaction, hence a practice court for the players in the middle of the O2's restaurant area and two 60-seat powerboats to speed players and coaches from their hotel to the venue in 30 minutes.

"I'm pretty certain none of the players have arrived at a tournament by boat before," Kermode said. "But they'll be smoother than cars and will beat the London traffic. Plus they'll get to admire the scenery on the way in."

Another big bonus for London is the presence of a fit-again Murray. The Scot returned recently from a wrist injury to win the title in Valencia and he will be a huge draw as he chases a possible 950,000 pound jackpot for five victories.

"Whoever you draw is going to be tough," said Murray, who is still to win a grand slam title, on the tournament's website.

"I look forward to playing Roger. I've played Juan a few times on the tour recently and also had a close match recently with Verdasco indoors in Valencia.

"It's a tough group but if I play well I think I have a good chance of qualifying."

With Andy Roddick's late withdrawal because of a knee injury, American interest at the tournament will focus on Bob and Mike Bryan as they try and overtake Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic in the race to end the year as the world's best doubles pairing.