David Ferrer is 2nd Spaniard to reach World Tour Finals

David Ferrer has confirmed his place in the World Tour Finals for the third time in his career with a three-set win over compatriot Juan-Carlos Ferrero in Shanghai.

Ferrer needed to reach the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters and had to see fellow Spaniard, Nicolas Almagro, lose against Andy Roddick to ensure his passage to London – and that is what transpired.

Judging from his performance, Ferrer was determined to leave blood, sweat and tears on the court rather than lose his chance.

He was a set and a break down, and faced match points, before fighting back against an increasingly drained Ferrero. Yet in an amusing on-court interview, it became clear that

Ferrer was unaware the numbers were stacked in his favour: “Yes? Thanks for this news!”

Once the news of qualification for London for the second consecutive year had sunk in, the world No5 was a little more composed.

“This is what I have been fighting for all year,” he said. “I’ve had a great season with a lot of wins and I can’t wait to return to London.

“It is such a great event and it is so special to be among the top eight players once again. The atmosphere is incredible there.”

He joins another Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, along with Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer at the end of November for world’s biggest indoor tennis event.

But while the World Tour Finals mark the climax of the ATP year, Ferrer and Nadal will quickly return home to join Spain’s campaign for Davis Cup victory in the first week of December.

Almagro, ranked nine in the race to London, still has some work to do if he is to become the third Spaniard to join what would be his first season-ending tournament.

He is scheduled to play in Valencia and Paris and will need to make good points if he is to close on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Mardy Fish””though both lost in Round 2 here””and shake off Gilles Simon and Alexandr Dolgopolov who are still advancing in Shanghai.

Qualified for London

1 Novak Djokovic – 13,295 points
2 Rafael Nadal – 9,500 points
3 Andy Murray – 6,290 points
4 Roger Federer – 5,185 points
5 David Ferrer – 3,880 points

Still to qualify

6 Tomas Berdych – 2,940 points (Scheduled to play Paris)
7 Mardy Fish – 2,875 points (Scheduled to play Basel, Paris)
8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – 2,790 points (Scheduled to play Vienna, Valencia, Paris)
9 Nicolas Almagro – 2,370 points (Scheduled to play Valencia, Paris)
10 Gilles Simon – 2,155 points (Scheduled to play St Petersburg, Paris)

Outside chance

Janko Tipsarevic – 2,040 points (Scheduled to play Moscow, St Petersburg, Paris)
Alexandr Dolgopolov – 1,835 points (Scheduled to play Moscow, St Petersburg, Paris)