Shanghai: If history repeats itself, David Nalbandian will lose to Roger Federer to open the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai tournament on Sunday.
If history repeats itself, Nalbandian won't mind.
Last year, Nalbandian and Federer opened the tournament with the top-ranked Swiss player coming away victorious in the round-robin.
But when the two met again in final, it was Nalbandian who pulled off the upset, rallying from two sets down to win a fifth-set tiebreak and snap Federer's 14-match Masters Cup winning streak.
"You try to win all the time," Nalbandian said on Saturday after an official welcoming ceremony. "But if you lose in a round-robin, you still have a chance. Like I did last year."
Sunday's second singles match will pit Croatian Ivan Ljubicic against American Andy Roddick.
On Monday night, Spain's Rafael Nadal will take on American James Blake before Russia's Nikolay Davydenko plays Spain's Tommy Robredo.
"It's a great feeling being back here again," Nalbandian said.
Federer holds a slim edge in head-to-head encounters with Nalbandian 7-6. It was the Argentine who dominated their early matches, winning the first five times they played on the men's circuit. But Federer has won seven of their last eight meetings, his lone defeat coming in Shanghai a year ago.
Federer is attempting to become the first player to win three Masters Cups and the first man to win a year-ending championship three times since Pete Sampras captured the last of his five ATP Tour World Championship titles in 1999.
While Federer clinched the race for world No 1 when he won his third consecutive US Open crown two months ago, there is still a lot at stake for the world's top eight players at Shanghai. And, for a change, all eight are here and ready to play.
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Last year, the field was depleted by injuries. And, although he played, Federer's movement around the court appeared to be hampered by a sore ankle.
This year, both Ljubicic and Roddick have pronounced themselves fit, despite missing tournaments because of injuries, Roddick with a bad ankle and Ljubicic with an allergy.
"Neither one of us has played that much this fall," Roddick said, noting their similar style of play. "We both rely on our serve and stay back."
Roddick has had a resurgence in his game and his ranking since he has begun working with tennis great Jimmy Connors, who accompanied him to Shanghai.
Ljubicic makes his second straight Masters Cup appearance after posting a 1-2 record in last year's round-robin and failing to reach the semi-finals.
While the four who play on Monday cannot possibly meet Federer until the semi-finals, all are contemplating their chances of beating him.
"The more opportunities I have the better chance I'll have to get a win," an upbeat Roddick said of besting Federer.
Blake was philosophical about it, as one would expect from someone who attended Harvard.
"With the eight best players in the world, it's easy to say anyone can beat anyone," Blake said. "Every time I go out to play him, I think I can beat him. There is a chance. But it would be kind of silly to say I could beat him consistently. He is the best in the world."
The top eight doubles teams will also take to the Qi Zhong tennis stadium from Sunday. Top-seeded American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan are seeking their third Tennis Masters Cup title in four years.
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