Men's Tennis Power Rankings: June 1

In the midst of the French Open, the ranking points are not yet settled, so we deal with probabilities as some players have fallen already in week one and some are poised to move on through to the finals. 

We have duly weighted those who are still alive to play another day on the men’s side of the tour.  Our power rankings for June 1, 2009 are as follows:

1. Rafael Nadal

Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4]180 pts; Madrid [Finalist] 600 pts; Rome [Winner] 1000 pts; Barcelona [Winner] 500 pts; Total points—2280.

In stunned disbelief, Rafa has been summarily dismissed from his tournament—The French Open.  His fourth-round exit will not diminish the quality of his clay court season, but it does mean his dream of a calendar year slam is over.  The question is, who will rise and take this championship?   Nadal has lost his last two clay court tournaments—Madrid was only a minor blip compared to mammoth size of this latest defeat. 

2. Roger Federer

Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4 but still alive] 180 pts + 180pts; Madrid [Winner] 1000 pts; Rome [Semis] 360 pts; Monte Carlo [R16] 90 pts; Total points—1810.

Roger will be playing on Monday for a spot into the quarterfinals of the French Open Championship and we suspect he will overcome Tommy Haas.  Madrid was just the starting point for Federer’s clay season.  He will undoubtedly make himself a factor in the finals but we have no proof of that to date.  We imagine he is itching for the grass season to begin, especially if he conquers Paris!

3. Andy Murray

Last four tournaments played: French Open [QF but still alive] 360 pts + 360 pts; Madrid [QF] 180 pts; Rome [R32] 45 pts; Monte Carlo [Semis] 360 pts. Total points—1305.

Andy Murray has yet to make his mark during this season on clay.  He is still playing hard during the French Open and we expect him to advance another round or two—perhaps all the way to the final now that Nadal has been eliminated.  Success during the French Open would greatly advance his power ranking. 

4. Novak Djokovic

Last four tournaments played: French Open [R3] 90 pts; Madrid [Semis] 360 pts; Belgrade [Winner] 250 pts; Rome [Finalist] 600 pts.  Total points—1300.

Just a step behind Murray after his premature exit from the French Open, Djokovic has to think about his grass court campaign starting now.  A let down would be a disaster for him.  He had a real opportunity in Paris that slipped away. 

5. Fernando Gonzalez

Last four tournaments played: French Open [QF but still alive] 360pts. + 360pts; Rome [Semis] 360 pts; Barcelona [Semis] 180 pts; Miami [R32] 45 pts. Total points—1305.

After a brief time out, Gonzo is back and playing stellar tennis at the French Open.  He has made his way quietly into the quarterfinals, where he will face Andy Murray.  The player who brings his “A” game to the match will win.  Either one of these two has the capability of taking his game all the way to the finals.  Gonzalez is playing some of the best tennis of his career.

6. Nikolay Davydenko

Last four tournaments played: French Open [QF and still alive] 360 pts + 360 pts; Madrid [R16] 90 pts; Rome [R64] 45 pts; Barcelona [Semis] 180 pts. Total points—1035 points.

If nothing else, Davydenko’s match against Fernando Verdasco in the fourth round of the French Open proved the Russian is back in top-five form.  His serving was steady and accurate, as were his lethal groundstrokes.  Clay is his best surface and there is a chance he could send Soderling packing.  But, let us not get ahead of ourselves.   Davydenko is on the rise. 

7. Robin Soderling

Last four tournaments played: French Open [QF and still alive] 360pts + 360pts; Dusseldorf – 105pts; Madrid [R32] 45 points; Rome [R16] 90 points. Total points—960.

Having just knocked off the world No. 1 player, Rafael Nadal, Soderling is looking to make his mark at the 2009 French Open.  From the quality of his play, we say don’t get in his way.  He has the game—does he have the will?  This tournament could mark the turning point in his career. 

8. Juan Martin del Potro

Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4 but still alive] 180 pts. + 180 pts; Madrid [Semis] 360 pts; Rome [QF] 180 pts; Monte Carlo [R32] 10 pts.  Total points—910.

Juan Martin del Potro will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals and we like his chances to advance.  With Djokovic out, one of these men could conceivably make it into the semifinals.  De Potro has been playing solid tennis on the clay and he should make it another round or two. 

9. Fernando Verdasco

Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4] 180 pts; Madrid [QF] 180 pts; Rome [QF] 180 pts; Barcelona [QF] 90 pts. Total points—630.

Verdasco faded away today in his match against Nikolay Davydenko.  It was not really even a contest as Davydenko did not blink and took it to Verdasco.  So the promise that awaits this young Spaniard is still waiting—as are we. 

10. Phillip Kohlschreiber

Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4 and still alive] 180pts + 180 pts; Dusseldorf [Semis] 75 pts; Madrid [R16] 90 points; Munich [R16] 20 points. Total points—545.

Having dismissed Novak Djokovic in the third round, Phillipp Kohlschreiber could be poised to go much deeper into the second week of the French Open.  His next opponent is Tommy Robredo and we like Kohlschreiber’s chances in this one. 

Outside Looking In Through French Open Doors

1. Andy Roddick

Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4 and still alive] 180pts + 180pts; Madrid [QF] 180 points; Miami [QF} 180 pts; Indian Wells [Semis] 360 pts.  Total Points—540.

Andy Roddick is having his best clay court season ever and his return to form is producing encouraging results.  We expect him to advance further into the second week of the French Open.  [We did not count the hard court events because they were too old].

2. Stanislas Wawrinka

Last four tournaments played: French Open [R3] 90 pts; Madrid [R16] 90 pts; Rome [R32] 90 pts; Barcelona [R16] 45 pts. Total points—315.

Wawrinka went down in four sets to Nikolay Davydenko on Stan’s favorite surface.  The clay has not been very kind to Wawrinka in 2009.  Once again, Stan did not advance beyond the third round here in Paris. 

3. David Ferrer

Last four tournaments played: French Open [R3] 180 pts; Madrid [R32] 45 pts; Estoril [R16] 20 pts; Rome [R64] 10 pts. Total points—255.

Unfortunately for Ferrer, he met Soderling, who was on a mission from God during the French Open.  Ferrer was playing good ball but he met his match in Soderling and lost in the third round.