Medvedev replaces Djokovic as world No 1

[PARIS] Daniil Medvedev succeeded Novak Djokovic as world number one on Monday (Feb 28), becoming the first man since 2004 outside the game's "Big Four" of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray to occupy the top spot.

US Open champion Medvedev is the third Russian man after Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin, and 27th player overall, to rise to the top of the ATP rankings.

The 26-year-old Medvedev, beaten by Nadal in the Acapulco semi-finals last week, was guaranteed to move above Djokovic after the Serb's quarter-final loss in Dubai.

Djokovic, who has spent a record 361 weeks as the world number one, was competing in his first tournament of the season following his deportation from Australia in January.

Alexander Zverev stayed in third despite being thrown out of the Acapulco event after smashing his racket on the umpire's chair several times during a doubles match.

Nadal rose one place to fourth after claiming his third title of the season and 91st of his career. The Spaniard is unbeaten since losing to Lloyd Harris in Washington last August. He ended his 2021 season after that because of a left foot injury.

ATP rankings: 1. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 8615 pts (+1) 2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8465 (-1) 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 7515 4. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6515 (+1) 5. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6445 (-1) 6. Andrey Rublev (RUS) 5000 (+1) 7. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 4928 (-1) 8. Casper Ruud (NOR) 3915 9. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 3883 10. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 3496 (+1) 11. Jannik Sinner (ITA) 3495 (-1) 12. Cameron Norrie (GBR) 3325 13. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 3020 (+1) 14. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2865 (-1) 15. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 2480 16. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 2220 (+1) 17. Reilly Opelka (USA) 2156 (+1) 18. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 2121 (+1) 19. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 2061 (+1) 20. Taylor Fritz (USA) 2010 (-4). AFP