Chase on for China - but Safin contemplates the end

Updated at: 0700 PST, Tuesday, October 28, 2008 PARIS: A dozen of his contemporaries came to the Paris Masters bidding to snatch the last coveted slots at the Shanghai Masters Cup - but fading star Marat Sarin is contemplating retirement after a shambolic showing on Monday. With 18 of the top 20 players in the world appearing in the City of Light - including Roger Federer, who confirmed he will bid to land his first Masters title of the year, French fans expected a feast. But with Safin, they got a dogs breakfast of a performance as the three-time Paris champion crashed out 0-6, 6-7 (4/7) to Argentine qualifier Juan Monaco, who profited from his rival's seven double faults and 46 unforced errors in advancing to a meeting with Frenchman Gael Monfils. Safin, champion in 2000, 2002 and 2004 but now finding the going tough outside the top 30, admitted he couldn't wait to start his holiday in Miami. Safin lost the first eight games but broke back after several bouts of head clutching for 2-2 in the second. An ace moved the Russian to 6-5 but Monaco held to force the tiebreak, whereupon Safin produced a series of wild and loose shots to concede the battle. As Safin's star fades away so that of Argentine Juan Martin del Potro is on the rise after four titles this season - and the number nine seed will make his bow Tuesday against Croatian Mario Ancic, a three-set winner Monday over Rainer Schuettler of Germany. Federer, dethroned by Rafael Nadal in August as world number one after a record 237 weeks, arrives here fresh from retaining his title in Basel after defeating Argentine David Nalbandian in Sunday's final. Federer and Nadal, along with Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Nikolay Davydenko and in action here Wednesday, have already booked their Shanghai tickets but a dozen players can still capture the three remaining slots, adding to the competitive edge. The Swiss will take on the winner of Tuesday's meeting between Lyon champion Robin Soderling of Sweden and Frenchman Josselin Ouanna.