Bulgarian rises to third after London victory

paris — Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov climbed to a career-high world ranking of third on Monday after landing his biggest title to date at the ATP Finals in London.

Dimitrov, 26, defeated David Goffin 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in Sunday’s final at the O2 Arena to move up three places — behind only Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer — after a breakthrough year featuring four titles.

Alexander Zverev dropped one spot to fourth after failing to advance past the round-robin stage in London, while Jack Sock, beaten by Dimitrov in the semifinals, rose one place to eighth.

Goffin, who will spearhead Belgium’s bid for a first Davis Cup title this weekend against France in Lille, clawed himself up to seventh after his run to the final. Nadal remains at the summit despite withdrawing from the end-of-season finale with a knee injury after losing his opening match, while Federer trails the Spaniard by 1,040 points following his semifinal exit. New ATP rankings: 1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 10,645 pts; 2. Roger Federer (SUI) 9,605; 3. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 5,150 (+3); 4. Alexander Zverev (GER) 4,610 (-1); 5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 4,015 (-1); 6. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,805 (-1); 7. David Goffin (BEL) 3,775 (+1); 8. Jack Sock (USA) 3,165 (+1); 9. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 3,150 (-2); 10. Pablo Carreno (ESP) 2,615; 11. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 2,595; 12. Novak Djokovic ( SRB) 2,585; 13. Sam Querrey (USA) 2,535; 14. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 2,480; 15. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 2,320; 16. Andy Murray (GBR) 2,290; 17. John Isner (USA) 2,265; 18. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 2,235; 19. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 2,095; 20. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 2,015. — AFP