With the Paris Masters and the ATP World Tour Finals and the Davis Cup finals up ahead, the end of the men’s tennis season is wrapping up very soon.

This week, a pair of ATP 500 events are being played: Valencia (in Spain) and Basel (in Switzerland).

Last year, Djokovic went on Federer’s home tournament (Basel) and won the finals against the Swiss maestro.  He is back again to defend his title and Federer is ready to try to win back the title he’s won so many times before.  Djokovic had one of the tougher matchups in the first round, but made easy work of Ernests Gulbis, who seemed poised to take a leap up the ranks in the middle of the year only to fade once again as he is wont to do.

Federer beat the talented Alexandr Dolgopolov who retired down 5-2 in the second set.  Federer next plays Tipsarevic who gave him such trouble a few years ago at the Australian Open.

In addition to these two, John Isner, David Nalbandian, Andy Roddick, Marin Cilic, and Richard Gasquet are all still in the main draw.

Over in Valencia, Andy Murray is defending his title in Valencia.  Murray has only won two titles this year, but both are Masters 1000 titles.  In addition to Murray, Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer, Nikolay Davydenko, Robin Soderling, and last year’s finalist, Mikhail Youzhny are in the tournament.  Verdasco and Youzhny are trying to make the final 8 in the ATP World Tour Finals, but Youzhny has points to defend in Valencia, and it seems unlikely he can qualify without reaching the finals once again.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal is not playing this week (nor did he play last week).  Nadal is resting until the last Masters of the year in Paris.  Then, the top players get a week off, and then the ATP World Tour Finals in London for the second year in a row.

Davydenko, the defending champ, and del Potro, last year’s finalist, will not play this year since both had injuries and didn’t earn enough points to reach the last 8.