Murray Guarantees No. 2 Ranking

Scot Andy Murray has guaranteed he will rise to a new career-high of No. 2 in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings on Monday, after snapping Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s four-year dominance at the top of the men’s game.

Murray became the first Briton since Roger Taylor in 1970 (l. to Rod Laver) to reach the Rogers Cup final on Saturday, after defeating seventh-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 7-6(8) in one hour and 50 minutes on Saturday afternoon. Murray saved two set points in the tie-break at 5-6 and 7-8. It was the pair’s third meeting.

Murray will be the first player other than Federer and Nadal, who both lost in the Rogers Cup quarter-finals on Friday, to rank No. 2 since 18 July 2005. Murray, 22, is already the highest-ranked Briton in ATP history (since 1973). By reaching Sunday’s final, Murray has accumulated 8,850 points to surpass Nadal’s total haul of 8,665 points. (Source)

Welcome to the Top 10

Ahh... has anyone noticed a new entry in to the Top 10 this week?



Surprise, Surprise.... look it's Gael Monfils!


Now, can I just say. I hate watching him play on t.v. He's so apathetic and uninspiring. He plays as if he had nothing better to do, lazy tennis. He must be saving his engine for soccer practice with the Spaniards after dinner.

Here is how I interpret his attitude: Big points, ahh.. who cares, it's just a match! Careless mistakes? Nah... they were forced!

No Changes at the Top

Rankings, Rankings, I love rankings!

No Changes in the rankings for the Top 4 after Aussie, regardless of the Final.

Rafa is ahead of the pack... by a mile.

And Muzz made no in roads towards the top despite coming to Oz red hot.

Novak's dream of becoming No.1 ... is only a dream at the moment.

Tonight Tonight...

Jelena Jankovic’s loss to Marion Bartoli cost her more than a big check at the end of the Australian Open.

The Serbian star will now lose the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour No. 1 ranking to one of three other top players on Monday.

Jankovic had an outside chance of holding onto the top spot after her fourth round defeat, but because Dinara Safina reached the semifinals, Jelena will be ousted after seventeen consecutive weeks.

An Australian Open singles title would guarantee former world number one Serena Williams or newcomers Dinara Safina and Elena Dementieva the number one ranking. However, each of the trio still has a chance to claim the top spot without winning the Grand Slam.

Elena Dementieva
The Russian could become the 19th player since the inception of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Computer Ranking System (second Russian, along with Maria Sharapova) was introduced on November 3, 1975.

Dementieva needs to:
- Win the singles title
- Reach the finals if Safina does not also reach the finals

Dinara Safina
Like Dementieva, the Russian could become the 19th player since the inception of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Computer Ranking System (second Russian, along with Maria Sharapova) was introduced on November 3, 1975.

Safina needs to:
- Win the singles title
- Reach at least SF and neither Dementieva nor S.Williams advance to the finals

Serena Williams
The American is aiming to return to the World No.1 ranking for the third time in her career. S.Williams has held the World No.1 ranking for 61 weeks (57 weeks: 7/8/02 to 8/10/03 and 4 weeks: 9/8/08 to 10/5/08).

Williams needs to:
- Win the singles title
- Reach the finals if Safina does not also reach the finals

For more Jelena Jankovic to Lose Top Spot; Ranking Race Between Serena Williams, Dinara Safina and Elena Dementieva

Lights Out!

Marion Bartoli is through to the Quarterfinals of the Australian Open, as she dispatches Jelena Jankovic in 2 very convincing sets - 61 64. The flat-hitting French woman was on fire the entire match, putting it to the current #1 in fashionable style. She's sporting a new, streamlined physique as well. She actually looks like a tennis player (despite her balletesque serving stance). Jelena is likely to lose her #1 ranking following the Aussie Open, and will have to fend off the media wolves regarding her validation as #1. In order for her to stay at the top, either Serena, Safina, or Dementieva will have to lose in their Quarterfinal matches. I doubt that all of the remaining top seeds will fall before the Semifinals.

Side note: Perhaps Jelena should challenge the line calls a little less. In the second set alone, she challenged 3 times, losing each of those challenges. And that was at 2-2! After that, she had no challenges remaining for the entire set. I read somewhere that Serena consciously decides not to challenge often, preferring to stay in the moment and not be sidetracked by the minor details. Seems to work for her!

Musical Chair Rankings

By winning her first round match, Jankovic increased her chances of remaining No. 1 at the conclusion of the Australian Open. Here is a look at the possible scenarios regarding the coveted No. 1 ranking. Our friends over at OntheBaseline did the calculation.

Number One Ranking Projections

Points defending at Melbourne: Jelena Jankovic (900, reached 2008 SF), Serena Williams (500, reached 2008 QF), Dinara Safina (4, fell 2008 1r) and Elena Dementieva (280, reached 2008 4r).

With the winner receiving 2000 ranking points, and the top four ranking positions being so close, here are some scenarios:

• If Jelena Jankovic wins, she will remain No.1 regardless.

• If Dinara Safina wins, she will become No.1, regardless.

• If Serena Williams wins, she will become No.1 IF… she does not play Jankovic in the finals.

• If Elena Dementieva wins, she will become No.1 IF … she does not play Jankovic in the finals.

Additionally, with Jankovic winning her first round match at the Australian Open, Safina would need to reach AT LEAST the semifinals, while S.Williams and Dementieva would need to reach the finals to have a chance to become the World No.1.

Go JJ!

We'll keep you updated about rankings as matches unfold.