The top-ranked Federer, who won his third Masters Cup title last year, was drawn today to play in the Red Group, which also includes Fernando Gonzalez.

The Gold Group opens play Sunday on the indoor hard courts with second-ranked Rafael Nadal facing Richard Gasquet and Novak Djokovic playing David Ferrer.

"It's a tough draw with Rafa, Novak and Richard but all opponents are very difficult here as it is only the top eight players in the world," said Ferrer, who attended the draw ceremony.

Ferrer beat Nadal in the fourth round of the U.S. Open, while Federer beat both Roddick and Davydenko on the road to the U.S. Open final, where he defeated Djokovic. Federer also beat Davydenko in the French Open semifinals.

Federer has won three Grand Slam titles this year to bring his career total to 12, but he lost to David Nalbandian twice in the last three weeks — in the Madrid Masters and Paris Masters. Nalbandian is ranked No. 9 and didn't qualify for the season-ending tournament.

In doubles, Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor, Simon Aspelin and Julian Knowle, Lukas Dlouhy and Pavel Vizner, and Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra are in the Red Group, while Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett, Martin Damm and Leander Paes, Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi, and Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram make up the Gold Group.

The top-ranked doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan withdrew Monday because Mike Bryan has an elbow injury. Erlich and Ram replaced the American brothers.