Men's Tennis Power Rankings: Roger Federer Cements Top Spot

Roger Federer earned his spot at the top of our Power Rankings. He played stellar tennis in Cincinnati all week. Also based on his play in Cincinnati, Novak Djokovic has shot all the way back into the upper reaches of our top 10.

To understand how we arrive at our rankings, click here. Again, many thanks to Feng Rong for his help in crunching the numbers.

1. Roger Federer—Last Four Tournaments Played: Cincinnati [Winner], Montreal [Quarterfinalist] Wimbledon [Winner], Roland Garros [Winner]; Total Points: 1507.

After he folded in Montreal, crashing out to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarters, leading 5-1 in the third set, questions about Federer’s match strength arose. Could the happy father come up with the right stuff necessary to win again? 

His play in Cincinnati proved Federer is back with a vengeance. He seemed to be saying, “Look here all you No. 1 wannabes—you have to go through me to get to the top!”

2. Andy Murray—Last Four Tournaments Played: Cincinnati [Semifinalist], Montreal [Winner], Wimbledon [Semifinalist], Queens [Winner]; Total points: 973.

We all knew that once the clay court season faded into the background and the hard court season emerged, Andy Murray’s power rankings would shoot toward the top. The last two weeks have proven to be very, very good for the up-and-coming Scotsman. The U.S. Open promises to improve his status even more.

3. Novak Djokovic—Last Four Tournaments Played: Cincinnati [Finalist], Montreal [Quarterfinalist], Gerry Weber Open [Finalist], Wimbledon [Quarterfinalist]; Total Points: 749.  

If Novak Djokovic had won his final match in Cincinnati, he would have been No. 1 in our Power Rankings for the week of Aug. 24. He fought hard against a rejuvenated Roger Federer. Making it back into our top 10 and climbing all the way to No. 3, however, is not too bad. 

This should give Djokovic the lift his confidence needed as he heads into New York for the U.S. Open.

4. Rafael Nadal—Last Four Tournaments Played: Cincinnati [Semifinalist], Montreal [Quarterfinalist], Roland Garros [R 4], Madrid [Finalist]; Total points: 505.

It has been great seeing Rafael Nadal, now ranked No. 3 in the ATP, back playing tennis again. Granted, the hard courts are not his favorites, but his comeback was satisfactory, as he made it to the quarterfinals in his first outing in Montreal, and the semifinals on his second try in Cincinnati. 

He should be feeling redeemed as he heads into New York for the final Slam of the season.  

5. Andy Roddick—Last Four Tournaments Played: Cincinnati [R2], Montreal [Semifinalist], Washington [Finalist], Wimbledon [Finalist]; Total points: 475.

Losing early in Cincinnati to Sam Querrey was a great disappointment to Roddick—but it did not hurt his overall hard court season. The future still looks bright for Roddick’s chances to do well in New York. His play so far this season has been of very high caliber.

Will we see him recapture glory at Arthur Ashe Stadium? Could be.

6. Juan Martin del Potro—Last Four Tournaments Played: Montreal [Finalist], Washington [Winner], Wimbledon [R64], Roland Garros [Semifinalist]; Total points: 472.

Del Potro fought Andy Murray tooth and nail in Montreal for the first two sets—two tiebreaks, with Del Potro winning the first and Murray the second. But Del Potro’s endurance faded in the third, and Murray won. He had to withdraw from Cincinnati, but Del Potro did win in Washington. 

His prospects look hot going into New York, where the Argentine is considered a major contender.

7. Nikolay Davydenko—Last Four Tournaments Played: Cincinnati [R 3], Montreal [Quarterfinalist], Umag [Winner], Hamburg [Winner]; Total points: 343.

For a little guy, the Russian is mighty with his aggressive returns and his subtle and quick footwork. There is deceptive power in his strokes with parallel precision. He is moving back up the rankings ladder after a bout with injury. The hard courts are to his liking, and no one much intimidates the soft-spoken Russian.  

8. Lleyton Hewitt—Last Four Tournaments Played: Cincinnati [Quarterfinalist], Montreal [R 1], Washington [R 16], Wimbledon [Quarterfinalist]; Total points: 245

The Aussie counter-puncher fell out of the ATP top 100 in 2009 after undergoing hip surgery. Since that time he has clawed his way back to No. 32 with his all-out attacking style and his never-say-die attitude. He made an impact on grass, going deep into the Wimbledon quarterfinals. 

One suspects that the Aussie will be dreaming of a return to top 20 by doing well in New York.  

9. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga—Last Four Tournaments Played: Cincinnati [R2], Montreal [Quarterfinalist], Washington [R 32], Wimbledon [R 32]; Total points: 236.

The Muhammad Ali look-alike stung Federer like a bee in Montreal, seemingly just another statistic before he dug deep to come back from the abyss. He took the third set from Federer after being down to the great man 1-5. This win propelled him up the power rankings ladder. 

The Frenchman is currently ranked No. 7 in the ATP. He will have his eye firmly planted on the next major in New York.  

10. Sam Querrey—Last Four Tournaments Played: Cincinnati [R3], Montreal [R1], Washington [R16], Los Angeles [Winner]; Total points: 173

Querrey hangs onto his top 10 power ranking after his outstanding win in Los Angeles. Querrey’s success on the hard courts is a pleasant surprise to American fans, as James Blake continues to falter so far in 2009. We expect Querrey’s confidence to be supreme after upsetting fellow countryman Andy Roddick in Cincinnati.  

Outside Looking In

Fernando Gonzalez—Total points: 126

After much success earlier in the year, Gonzalez’s fortunes have fallen far enough to push him out of our Top 10 rankings. He was unfortunate to lose early in Cincinnati to Tomas Berdych, who made it all the way to the quarterfinals. In Montreal he was forced out in the third round against Davydenko. 

Traditionally an excellent hard court player, Gonzalez will hope to improve his ranking during the U.S. Open.

Robin Soderling—Total points: 91

An elbow injury continues to hamper the big-serving Swede. He went out early to Hewitt in Cincinnati. It is hoped that he will be able to return to form at the US Open later this month. After such a productive 2009, Soderling will expect to turn things around quickly by doing well in New York.