Nalbandian skipping alternate berth at Masters Cup to train for 2008

Former champion David Nalbandian will not travel to the Masters Cup in China as the first alternate because it's too far away.

Nalbandian beat Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal twice each en route to Masters Series victories in Madrid and Paris in the last three weeks, and missed out on the eight-man season-ending ATP championships by 11 points.

A three-time participant in the Masters Cup, he won it in 2005 as a replacement

But he and coach Martin Jaite decided not to attend the tournament starting on Sunday.

"To travel as an alternate to Shanghai would be a very long trip," Nalbandian said Wednesday. "We believe the best thing is to rest and prepare for a very good 2008 season."