The world's number nine as of today is just one step away from playing the Masters in Shanghai, in which he will classify directly if any of the first eight quit for injuries as a substitute. With today's results he is already the first replacement in a competition.
The Argentine also became the new number one in his country; this position was previously held by Guillermo Canas during a long while during the current season. He said "Since the US Open I felt that my tennis was coming back little by little. It should not be forgotten that I was injured the whole first half of the season. But I would never imagine finishing the season so strong".
These situations are not very common in tennis. After a season in which his best results have been the quarter finals in Barcelona; Nalbandian imposed himself between the best three players of the World for two consecutive times to win in Madrid, and two weeks later won the trophy in Paris. After his victory; he ran to hug his team mates among them; Marin Jaite, ex player and his current coach since July, who didn't hide joy for his pupil's victory.
Even Nadal admitted Nalbandian is in his best shape right now, which is unfair for him to wait someone to skip the Masters to be able to play; he was astonished because he had already lost in October against him. While in Paris- Bercy the Argentine defeated players who are above him in the ATP classification like Roger Federer, David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet; losing only one set against the Spaniard David Ferrer.
There is no doubt Nalbandian is the most talented from the circuit that has not won the Grand Slam. More even he looks comfortable in all surfaces, and together with Federer, are the only players in activity that have reached the semi finals in the four "Greatest".
But not everything has been bad for Nadal, though his lost in Paris, the Spaniard is closer in points to Roger Federer in the ATP standings, and could take away the leadership in the position list next January.
