The inaugural Masters event in Shanghai is ready to host the world's best players in a grueling week of top flight tennis. The tournament which was played in Madrid last year has found a new home at the Shanghai Qi Zhong Tennis Center. The spectacular petal shaped stadium had previously hosted the Barclays ATP World Tour finals for three seasons, before the event was moved to its new home in London.

Notable absentees from the field this year will include Roger Federer and Andy Murray. The Swiss pulled the plug on his Asian tour well in advance, due to a long season of fatigue. Murray is currently battling a wrist injury and could not defend his title.

The withdrawal of Federer means that Rafael Nadal will be shifted to the No. 1 seed. The Spaniard will to be followed by No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic, No. 3 seed Juan Martin del Potro, No. 4 seed Andy Roddick and No. 5 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The winner of the prestigious Masters 1000 will receive $616,500 in prize money, as well as 1000 value ATP World Tour points.

Rafael Nadal will be attempting to win his first Masters 1000 event since the Roma Masters 1000, while Novak Djokovic, who will take over the No. 3 ranking in the world next week, attempts to solidify his position.

Murray is set to lose 1000 ATP World Tour with is absence.

Juan Martin del Potro will be eager to rebound from his unexpected early exit in Tokyo last week. The US Open champ is taking part in his second tournament after winning his first Grand Slam. Del Potro will be keen to gain as much steam as possible, heading into the final stretch of the season. The world No. 5 has already qualified for the Barclays ATP World Tour finals.

Andy Roddick and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are two of the leading candidates for the remaining three spots in London, each having a different set of priorities to fulfill in Shanghai.

Roddick is enduring a mini slump of sorts, and needs to regain his credibility at the top of the game. Tsonga has performed consistently since Wimbledon and dearly wants to break the top five marker in the world rankings (Tsonga's highest career ranking stands at No. 6).

With a lot on the line, and a strong field to look forward to this week in Shanghai, let's now take a look at the 56-man field and the potential challenges the top four seeded players could face.

Nadal's Quarter

After suffering a shell shock defeat to Marin Cilic in Beijing, the top seeded Spaniard returns to Shanghai in the hopes of capturing his 16th Masters 1000 title.

Nadal was granted a clean bill of health to participate in Beijing last week, and it remains to be seen if his loss to Cilic will shed doubt on his Shanghai campaign.

With the top eight seeds receiving a first round bye, Nadal will begin his tournament against either James Blake or Ivo Karlovic. Nadal defeated Blake in three riveting sets last week in Beijing, leveling his head-to-head with the American at 3-3.

Karlovic's menacing serve is difficult to deal with under normal circumstances, let alone an indoor hard-court.

The first seed that Nadal is slated to meet is countryman Tommy Robredo. Robredo's consistency has never blossomed during the indoor season, and that result should not change this week.

Gael Monfils, Fernando Verdasco, Lleyton Hewitt, and John Isner also lurk in this section as potential candidates to challenge Nadal.

Isner's rocket serve will be an imposing presence throughout the event, if in fact the American oust Hewitt in round one.

Monfils and Verdasco have enjoyed successful post US Open campaigns, but hold a combined 1-14 head-to-head mark against Nadal.

All in all, even though Nadal suffered an embarrassing defeat to Cilic last week, the Mallorcan remains the best player in his quarter of the draw minus the power hitter quotient, which seems to give him the most trouble.

Look for Rafa to regain his winning ways in Shanghai.

Pick: Nadal

Djokovic's Quarter

A recent deep run in Beijing has propelled the Serb back to the No. 3 spot in the world. Djokovic, who seldom dwells on tough defeats is in prime form to have a successful autumn.

The athletic baseline hitter was granted a favorable draw in his attempts to win his fifth Masters 1000 title. Djokovic will begin his road to the finals against the potential challenge of Ernests Gulbis. The Latvian faces a qualifier in round one, and will take a 2-1 head-to-head deficit against Djokovic if the pair meet in round two.

German Tommy Haas will be making his first appearance on tour since the US Open, holding two grass-court wins over Djokovic this season.

Haas will be fresh and fit to participate in his first event in over a month, and will be a dangerous opponent in this section.

Gilles Simon, Marin Cilic, Tomas Berdych, and Marat Safin all possess the necessary tools to defeat Djokovic before the semifinals.

Berdych and Cilic will battle in an enticing first round match, with Simon and Safin playing well in recent weeks.

Safin could continue his mojo form Beijing, where he poured in a respectable quarterfinal showing. The Russian's draw is favorable, and he could be poised for an upset or two along the way.

With Djokovic coming in hot from Beijing, fatigue and recovery time may be necessary. The Serb has performed well this season, but seldom followed up successful weeks on hard-courts.

Tennis usually rewards fresh and nibble footwork. With that in mind, who better than Haas to bring forth his rested and experience game.

Djokovic may rejoice in his recent tour success, as well as recapturing the No. 3 ranking, but his fifth Masters 1000 title will have to wait.

Pick: Haas

Del Potro's Quarter

The reigning US Open champion will arrive in Shanghai with much to prove. The spotlights are shining bright on Del Potro at the moment, and the lanky Argentine is still adjusting to his new found fame.

Del Potro will have his sights set on making amends for his disappointing first round loss to a qualifier last week in Japan.

The No. 3 seed will face either Jurgen Melzer or Jeremy Chardy in round two. Del Potro defeated Melzer on his way to his maiden Grand Slam title, while never facing the talented Frenchman on tour.

David Ferrer or Richard Gasquet are slated to meet Del Potro in round three, while Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Robin Soderling could face off against the Argentine in the quarterfinals.

Ferrer has been in a perpetual slump all season, while Gasquet is participating in his forth straight tournament in as many weeks. Tsonga and Soderling have been performing at their usual indoor best throughout the fall; Tsonga reaching at least the semifinals, each of the last two weeks, and Soderling progressing the quarterfinals or better of his last three events.

Tennis' newest Grand Slam champ will likely win a few rounds in Shanghai before his US Open hangover resurfaces. Del Potro is in the process of dealing with the magnitude of commitments involved with holding a Major title, and those commitments will inevitably take precedent in Shanghai.

Look for Tsonga or Soderling to take charge of this quarter, with the fresher Sodelring a better bet.

Pick: Soderling

Roddick's Quarter

What started as a stellar three quarters of the season has since turned into a mini slump for America's best. Carrying a two match losing streak (his longest of the year), and an embarrassing first round loss to Lukasz Kubot in Beijing, Roddick will be raring to regain his form in Shanghai.

The 27-year-old was dealt a reasonable draw and will likely face Stan Wawrinka in round two.

Stan the man has endured his fair share on inconsistent results this season, holding the skill-set to challenge the games best on any given day.

Serve and volley wizard Radek Stepanek could give Roddick something to think about in round three, possessing a truly elite indoor game.

Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Gonzalez are highest seeded players outside of Roddick in this quarter; both players will be playing with extra incentive this week.

Davydenko and Gonzalez head a fine list of players who are bidding to capture one of the three remaining spots for the Barclays ATP World Tour finals in London. A deep showing be either player will result in a certified ticket to the finale.

Davydenko has played well in Asia, capturing his third title of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Gonzalez has shown inconsistent results as of late, but has shown more than credible results this year.

Roddick is the next player in line to qualify for London based on his world ranking of No. 6. With a favorable draw in hand, the Texas native holds a positive win/loss record over everyone his quarter.

Look for Roddick to put in a strong week based on determination and pride.

Pick: Roddick

Please check back throughout the week for daily updates from the eighth Masters 1000 event of the year in Shanghai, China. Cheers.

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