Men's Tennis Power Rankings: Apr. 19

1. Rafael Nadal: Last four tournaments played: Monte Carlo [Winner]; Miami [Quarter finalist]; Indian Wells [Winner] and Rotterdam [Runner-Up].

The current Numero Uno atop the ATP ranking charts, Rafa finds himself ruling the roost in the Power Rankings for the week ended Apr. 19.

Following his stellar victory in the Oz Open, he has managed to capture two ATP 1000 Masters titles, one of which is also a record as he has now won five consecutive MC Masters ['05, '06, '07, '08 and '09].

Moreover, with the clay season now being fully underway, it is highly improbable that Rafa will be placated from his comfort zone. His standings therefore look fortified from the near horizon perspective.

2. Andy Murray: Last four tournaments played: Monte Carlo [Semifinalist]; Miami [Winner]; Indian Wells [Runner-Up] and Dubai [Quarter finalist].

The Scot finds himself placed on the next berth to the Spaniard in this week's edition of Power Rankings.

His scintillating run post his 2008 US Open continues and extends this year with three victories so far in Doha, Rotterdam and, more recently, at Indian Wells.

To add to this, he has shown that he has improved on clay and given the fact that there are four more events scheduled in the clay season 2009 , including Roland Garros, all eyes will be on Murray to monitor his weakness and his workings on the red dirt.

3. Novak Djokovic: Last four tournaments played: Monte Carlo [Runner-Up]; Miami [Runner-Up]; Indian Wells [Quarter finalist] and Dubai [Winner].

After his dismal start to the 2009 season, Nole has managed to put behind his early losses and is displaying some great tennis.

Though he hasn't managed to win any ATP 1000 Masters, he has to his name a 500 Masters victory at Dubai.

Nole's efforts in the final of the recently concluded Monte Carlo Masters against Nadal should bolster the hopes and expectations of his fans and friends. He put up a tough fight against Nadal, making him work for every point, and though he lost the match, Nole proved a point or two.

4. Roger Federer: Last four tournaments played: Monte Carlo [Third Round]; Miami [Semifinalist]; Indian Wells [Semifinalist] and Oz Open [Runner-Up].

The former World No. 1's woes continued as he failed to get past the Third Round in Monte Carlo. After having taken a wild-card entry for the event, it was expected that the three time Runner-Up might create some of his former magic to reach to the Finals. Instead he was cut short.

His drought of ATP masters victory still extends as he heads to Rome in the coming week.

Though he is technically ranked as the World No. 2, his current form belittles his ranking and since clay is one of his weaknesses, he has a tough fight ahead to advance in the Power Rankings.

5. Andy Roddick: Last four tournaments played: Miami [Quarter finalist]; Indian Wells [Semifinalist]; Memphis [Winner] and San Jose [Semifinalist].

Roddick didn't defend his power ranking of No. 5 by playing in Monte Carlo (he chose not to enter), yet by the virtue of his previous positions he is still ranked No. 5.

Clay has never been Roddick's forte and considering that a few more events are packed in the clay itinerary, it remains to be seen how Roddick will defend his standing.

6. Fernando Verdasco: Last four tournaments played: Monte Carlo [Quarter finalist]; Miami [Quarter finalist]; Indian Wells [Quarter finalist] and Oz Open [Semifinalist].

Verdasco's superb Oz Open form is still raging as he continuously finds himself in the 1/8 section of a tournament's draw.

Common knowledge says that clay is relished by every Spanish tennis player and Verdasco is no exception to the rule; with Rome, Hamburg, Madrid and Roland Garros remaining, Verdasco's potential will be judged suitably.

And it will not be altogether surprising if he pushes Roddick behind him in the next ATP Power Rankings midway into the clay season. Clay beckons and Verdasco is giving in to the revelling.

7. Juan Martin Del Potro: Last four tournaments played: Monte Carlo [Second Round]; Miami [Semifinalist]; Indian Wells [Quarter finalist] and Memphis [Quarter finalist].

The young Argentianian's problem is the fact that he doesn't cause upsets in a way he would like to. All his stopped runs at the QF levels have been due to bludgeoning from the higher ranked stars.

However, he has age on his side and once again is a member of the club which thrives on clay. Therefore, his progress over the next month or so will definately be interesting to watch.

8. Jo-Wilifred Tsonga: Last four tournaments played: Miami [Quarter finalist]; Indian Wells [R32]; Marseilles [Winner] and Rotterdam [Quarter finalist].

The current World No. 11 Frenchman did not play in MC nor has he been living up to his (fairly high) standards in previously contested events in 2009.

Due to the close competition brewing right now, it is imperative for Tsonga to do justice to what is expected of him and to establish his place in the next Power Rankings catalogue.

9. Gilles Simon: Last four tournaments played: Monte Carlo [Second Round]; Miami [R16]; Indian Wells [R32] and Dubai [Semifinalist].

Breaking into the Top 10 for the first time last season, Simon has found himself gasping for breath more than once this year.

He hasn't yet given a Top 10 like show (barring the semifinals at Dubai) and needs to work extra hard in order to retain his spot in the Power Rankings.

10. Gael Monfils: Last four tournaments played: Monte Carlo [First Round]; Miami [R16]; Indian Wells [R64] and Acapulco [Finalist].

The third French tennis player to feature here; Monfils's story is more or less similar to Tsonga's and Simon's.

Even he needs to work hard on his performance and deliver if he wants to hammer his power ranking spot in the weeks to come.

Outside Looking In

1. Stanislas Wawrinka: Last four tournaments played: Monte Carlo [Semifinalist]; Miami [R16]; Indian Wells [R16] and Oz Open [Third Round].

Wawrinka is the new shard of brilliance this week after having caused a surprising upset over Swiss compatriot and World No. 2, Roger Federer.

And even before he throttled Federer, he made Nole and Rafa slog for their victories against him in the Pre-Quarters in Indian Wells and Miami, respectively.

The current 16th seed is on the threshold of making a comeback into the Top 10 again [his highest ranking was No. 9 last season]. To do that he needs to not only make the top seeds slog, but also cause upsets on a fairly regular basis.

2. Nikolay Davydenko: Last three tournaments played: Monte Carlo [Quarter finalist]; Rotterdam [Second round] and Chennai Open [Second Round w/o].

Davydenko has been plagued by a heel injury forcing him out of most of the competitive events this year. The Monte Carlo Masters was his first tournament after complete recovery.

Clay is his strong point and it's quite possible that with his form improving right at the start of the dirt season, Kolya will try and solidify and re-group his seeding; both as the World No. 8 and to gain entry into the next episode of the ATP Power Rankings.