World number one Roger Federer said he was "100 percent" fit for the Tennis Masters Cup, in a blow to his rivals in the elite season-ending tournament.
Federer's run of two straight titles was halted by ankle injury and a dogged David Nalbandian in last year's final, but he said he had no health worries after skipping last week's Paris Masters citing fatigue.
"I came to Shanghai last year with injuries, but I have 100 percent confidence in my health situation this year," Federer said as he arrived on Monday.
"Fitness-wise, I am perfect. There are no concerns over ankles, knees and so on after such a demanding season. I just can't wait to hit the first ball on the court."
Federer was the first to fly in for the November 12-19 tournament, signalling his intent to cap another stellar year by reclaiming his Masters Cup title.
The Swiss genius has taken another 11 titles, including three Grand Slams, to take his career haul to 44, and has lost just five matches out of 92.
Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Paris champion Nikolay Davydenko, Ivan Ljubicic, Nalbandian, Tommy Robredo and James Blake were due to start arriving from Tuesday.
Federer will be hoping for a sweeter end to the season than in 2005, when the battling defeat to Nalbandian not only cost him the Masters Cup title but saw him fall one short of John McEnroe's legendary 1984 season record of 82-3.
{{/usCountry}}Federer will be hoping for a sweeter end to the season than in 2005, when the battling defeat to Nalbandian not only cost him the Masters Cup title but saw him fall one short of John McEnroe's legendary 1984 season record of 82-3.
{{/usCountry}}Federer was one of several players to miss the Paris Masters, along with Nadal, Roddick and Nalbandian, causing renewed consternation over the tough tennis schedule.
Shanghai organisers will be hoping for better luck than in last year's tournament, when Roddick, Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt pulled out beforehand and Nadal and Andre Agassi travelled here only to be forced out by injuries.