MEDVEDEV MOVES UP
Russian rising star cracks top three
Karatsev, 27, rose from 114th to 42nd after knocking out three seeds before his dream run was ended by Djokovic in the last four
PARIS, France (AFP) — Daniil Medvedev broke into the top three for the first time in Monday’s ATP rankings, while Russian compatriot Aslan Karatsev shot up 72 places after his shock run to the Australian Open semi-finals.
Medvedev finished runner-up at a Grand Slam for the second time as he was swept aside by top-ranked Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final in Melbourne, the Serb collecting his 18th major title.
Former US Open finalist Medvedev switched spots with Dominic Thiem, who slipped to fourth after he was demolished by Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets in the Last 16.
Bulgarian Dimitrov returned to top 20 but the biggest move was Karatsev, a qualifier who became the first man in the Open era to reach the semifinals of a major on a main draw debut.
Karatsev, 27, rose from 114th to 42nd after knocking out three seeds before his dream run was ended by Djokovic in the last four.
The win reinforced Djokovic’s status as world No. 1, guaranteeing he will mark his 311th week there as of 8 March, surpassing Roger Federer’s record of 310.
Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka moved up one spot to second in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings released following her success at the Australian Open, as she won her fourth Grand Slam title.
The Japanese star beat Jennifer Brady of the United States in straight sets in the final to lift the trophy in Melbourne for the second time in three years.
Osaka, 23, trades places with Simona Halep, the Romanian dropping down to third after losing to Serena Williams in the quarterfinals.
Williams jumps up four places to seventh despite again falling short of a record-tying 24th major. The American was beaten by Osaka in the semifinals.
The 25-year-old Brady, a semi-finalist at last year’s US Open, reached a career high of 13th on the back of her best Grand Slam performance to date.
Ashleigh Barty remains the world No. 1 in spite of losing in the last eight to Karolina Muchova, who gained five spots in rising to 22nd.