Winner takes all

With all the talk about the new golden boy of British tennis, Andy Murray, you could be forgiven for forgetting about other matters in the world of tennis. But there is more to life than Andy Murray, as much as the British press wouldnt let you believe it, and the conclusion to the Paris Masters this weekend proves that fact.

With the Masters Cup in Shanghai fast approaching, six spots out of eight have been clinched, with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko, and more recently Andy Roddick booking their places. However, with two spots still up for grabs, it's up to David Nalbandian and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to stake their claims.

Nalbandian is the defending champion, and is aiming to become the first player in history to win back-to-back Masters titles in Paris. By reaching the final, Nalbandian has moved from 12th to 10th place in the rankings, and a victory in Paris would move him to 7th place, and therefore book his spot to Shanghai.

On route to the final, there's been victories against the likes of Davydenko and, whisper it, Murray himself. So you can't argue with Nalbandian's form going into the final.

On the other hand, Tsonga is looking to reach his first Masters cup, and a victory in Paris will deliver just that, improving his ranking from 12th to 8th place. On his way there's been victories against the likes of James Blake, another man who was vying for Masters cup qualification in what was a tense semi-final encounter, and World number three Novak Djokovic once again suffered the wrath of Tsonga.

So, enough of the permutations, who's going to Shanghai?

Prior to this tournament, both men weren't exactly talked about as potential winners, with all the talk about the big four players. However, by the time the semi-finals came around, the big four had departed, and it was anyone's title. Nalbandian shown his strong credentials with a fantastic performance against Murray, defeating the in-form player on the tour. Say what you like about Murray's fatigue, but anyone who defeated Murray with his momentum would have to be at his very best, and Nalbandian most certainly was. An impresive victory against Davydenko followed, as the Argentine booked his place in the final. But the question is, can he beat the local favourite?

Tsonga's route to the final has been just as impressive, with big victories over Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick to his name. So while it's clear Tsonga has the game to trouble the big boys, can he step up when it really matters? With only one singles title to his name, questions remain over the young man's temprement.

On matchday, Tsonga has the undoubted crowd support, and the lethal power game to trouble Nalbandian. Both players play aggressive games from the baseline, so it could come down to who plays the bigger points better. This is where experience becomes a big factor, and where Nalbandian has the edge. But with the French crowd on his side, Tsonga will always have a chance. It's a match that could go down to the wire.

Whatever happens, it proves to be a fascinating climax as the tennis season draws to a close. Both players have stepped up to the plate when it really matters, and it's a shame one player has to miss out. But that's the factor that will make Sunday's final all the more fascinating, as both players lay it all on the line.