ATP Rankings: Novak Djokovic matches Pete Sampras. Dominic Thiem earns 2000 points

Despite an early US Open loss following a disqualification, Novak Djokovic is still the leader of the pack on the ATP ranking list. The Serb is 1010 points clear of world no. 2 Rafael Nadal, missing a chance to increase that gap and having another opportunity this week in Rome. Novak is spending the 286th week on the ATP throne, matching Pete Sampras' result and moving 24 from the ultimate record of Roger Federer. Skipping the US Open, Rafael Nadal has kept 2000 points from the previous season, with the same happening in Rome this week if he fails to defend the trophy. Nadal will kick off the campaign against the US Open semi-finalist Pablo Carreno Busta, returning to the court for the first time since February and seeking the tenth trophy in the Italian capital. Nadal is 725 points in front of the newly-promoted US Open champion Dominic Thiem, who has withdrawn from Rome and won't seek the top-2 place until Roland Garros.

With no Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic in the quarters, Thiem went all the way in New York to secure the maiden Major trophy at 27, becoming the first player born in the 90s with one of four most famous tennis trophies. The Austrian is 2500 points clear of world no. 4 Roger Federer, who will skip the rest of the season, with more players hoping to pass him by the end of 2020. The US Open semi-finalist Daniil Medvedev is still 5th, 700 points in front of Stefanos Tsitsipas. Daniil lost to Dominic Thiem in New York, deciding to skip Rome and charge batteries ahead of Roland Garros. Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Matteo Berrettini have kept their positions on the list, with no changes in the top-9 despite a Major behind us, mainly thanks to saving the last year's points in case of an earlier loss.

Novak Djokovic is celebrating the 286th week as world no. 1.

Zverev is now miles away from the players behind him, reaching the first Major final at the US Open and having a massive opportunity to become a champion and move in front of Stefanos Tsitsipas. Zverev won the opening two sets against Thiem, losing the third and fourth and recovering his game in the decider to serve for the title. Thiem endured all the obstacles to level the score and reach a tie break, bringing the victory home from there and leaving Alexander empty-handed. Roberto Bautista Agut is the first competitor with a gained position on the list, leaving David Goffin behind and returning into the top-10 despite an early New York loss. Young guns Andrey Rublev and Denis Shapovalov have made progress after a deep US Open run, followed by the semi-finalist Pablo Carreno Busta, who is back into the top-20 also the biggest mover in the top-50.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2DYKv9y