est eight players, teams head to Shanghai for Nov. 12-19 championship

American James Blake claimed the final spot in the elite eight-player Tennis Masters Cup and will be making his first appearance in the prestigious circuit finale, to be held from November 12-19 at Shanghai’s Qi Zhong Stadium.

Blake secured his qualification Saturday after the lone remaining contender, Germany’s Tommy Haas (12th), was defeated in the BNP Paribas Masters semifinals by Dominik Hrbaty. Blake, who fell in third round action Thursday at the final ATP Masters Series event of 2006, finished the regular ATP season at No. 8 in the INDESIT ATP 2006 Race with a 14-point lead over No. 9 Mario Ancic.

“Qualifying for Tennis Masters Cup is a great accomplishment signifying an all-around good year,” said Blake. “It’s not something I set as a goal, but I’m honored to be considered among the game’s elite.”

The 26-year-old Blake has compiled his best career season, finishing in the Top 10 for the first time and capturing five ATP titles on three continents in seven finals. His five titles – in Sydney, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Bangkok and Stockholm – tied Blake with Rafael Nadal in second place for most titles won in 2006, behind ATP World No. 1 Roger Federer with 11. Blake broke into the Top 10 in March after reaching his first ATP Masters Series final, at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, and became the first African-American to rank in Top 10 since Arthur Ashe in 1980.

Blake joins an elite field that includes fellow American Andy Roddick, Federer, Nadal, Davydenko, reigning Tennis Masters Cup champion David Nalbandian and Tommy Robredo.