Gasquet claimed the last spot for Shanghai

HEAD Player Richard Gasquet reached the semifinal round at the BNP Paribas Masters and also claimed the final spot for the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai.

"Qualifying for the masters is incredible for me," said Gasquet. "It's exceptional for me to go to Shanghai. Two, three years ago I was watching the Tennis Masters Cup on TV. I was thinking, 'This is the other end of the world. The Masters is so difficult.' Now I am there."

Gasquet who plays with the HEAD MicroGel Extreme Pro qualified after World No. 2 Rafael Nadal blocked the run of Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, No. 14 in the ATP 2007 Race, in the BNP Paribas Masters semifinals.

On his way to the semifinal round, Gasquet defeated in straight sets No. 6 seed James Blake 6-4, 6-4. Gasquet went on to claim victory over fellow HEAD player Andy Murray 6-3, 0-6, 6-4.

Meanwhile, HEAD players enjoyed success in the doubles competition. Nenad Zimonjic, who plays with the HEAD MicroGel Radical MP, reached the final round with partner Daniel Nestor after defeating No. 8 seeded pair of fellow HEAD player Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals. Zimonjic and Nestor lost in the final round in a tight game against the No. 1 seeded Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, 6-7, 6-4, 8-10.

HEAD pair Julian Knowle and Simon Aspelin, who each play with the HEAD Liquidmetal Prestige Mid, also reached the semifinal round, but lost against the Bryan brothers 3-6 7-6(5) 10-8.