Federer has nothing left to prove this year

In recent years we have seen the Masters Cup, the last event of the year, determine who ultimately finished as the No. 1 player. This year will present a very different drama.

The race for No. 1 was determined a few months ago when Roger Federer won the U.S. Open. Now, the next seven best players in the world, after Federer, will all be jockeying for positions in the final year-end rankings. Those races will be amazing.

Andy Roddick, who finished 2003 as the No. 1 player, could see his current No. 2 ranking, which he's held since January, drop all the way to No. 4. Both Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin are within striking distance of Roddick and could finish No. 2 with a strong showing in Houston. Hewitt is just 33 points behind Roddick and Safin is just 66 points behind Hewitt.

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