One Small Rankings Spot, One Giant Leap for Murray

Before I begin, I would like to point out something I forgot yesterday - this is the 501st post on Tennis From The Backseat! My my, we have come a long way!

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Back to the tennis, the reason for those 500 previous rambles (well, mostly). It's official - the four year reign of the Hispano-Suisse domination machine in the top two spots of the rankings will come to an end at the end of this week. Rafael Nadal, after about a year in the top spot, is going to slide to #3, and Andy Murray is going to step up into the #2 position.

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This is very unusual and it's going to take a lot of getting used to. Everyone knows you find Federer and Nadal on opposite ends of the draw to each other. It's just the way it works. Now we have - gulp - the prospect of Federer/Nadal semi finals, which I find personally very troubling Not because I don't believe Federer can beat him - I do - but because it's just not how it works.

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As to whether it is an accurate reflection or not... look, with Rafa still shaky on his knees after that layoff and with Murray playing the way he has been, I think it probably is an accurate reflection. But if one is to look at their careers, well... you're going to take Rafa's resume all the way. I don't think Murray will be able to hold down the #2 spot if Rafa finds his form again. To come back from injury and make it to the quarters of a major event is not a bad result at all. And unless his knees are seriously bung, then I think we'll see Rafa back where he belongs - in the top two.

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Kudos to Murray, though - many have tried, all have failed, when it comes to breaking into these hallowed positions. Djokovic was ten points from taking down Federer at the end of last year, but he never quite managed it. Murray is the first man to break the stranglehold in what feels like an age - it is a shame it had to happen on the back of injury.

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Today's Results

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Rogers Cup (Montreal)

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Andy Murray def. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-4 7-6 (10-8)

Juan Martin Del Potro def. Andy Roddick, 4-6 6-2 7-5

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Western and Southern Financial Group Women's Open (Cincinatti)

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Dinara Safina def. Flavia Pennetta, 6-2 6-0

Jelena Jankovic def. Elena Dementieva, 7-6 (7-2) 0-6 7-6 (8-6)