The ATP rankings released on Monday reflect the upward trend of South African number one Kevin Anderson, who has improved 13 positions to 114th in the world.
Anderson’s continued surge after a problem-infested 2009, comes in the wake of some noteworthy displays in last week’s Masters tournament at Indian Wells where the 6ft 8in big-server qualified for the main draw and was only narrowly beaten by the world’s 15th-ranked John Isner in the second round.
But the highly competitive nature of the ATP’s men’s tour is reflected in the fact Anderson must again battle his way through the qualifying rounds at the Miami Masters this week and is only seeded 24th in the tournament’s preliminary event.
What is more, Anderson could find his way blocked into the main draw by second-seeded German Mischa Zverev if both make their way into the final qualifying round.
A less heartening aspect of the new ATP rankings concerns long-serving Davis Cup stalwart Rik De Voest, who has plummeted to
a 301st position — his worst ranking for more than five years.
Such is De Voest’s decline that he has not as much qualified for a place in the Miami tournament’s qualifying rounds — something that has not happened to him for a long time as well.
And further evidence of the competitive nature of the men’s international circuit is that players of the calibre of Robby Ginepri, Somdev Devvarman, Rainier Schuettler, Nicolas Massau, Yen-Hsun Lu and Stefan Koubek all face qualifying rounds in order to make the Miami Masters main draw. — Sapa