27-07-2008, 11:49 AM
While Nadal could take No. 1 in Cincinnati if he reached the final and Federer suffered an early loss, any change at the top is unlikely to happen before August 18 ââ¬â two weeks after Cincinnati - due to a calendar shift this season to accommodate the Olympics.
Last year, ATP Masters Series events in Canada and Cincinnati were played two weeks later in the season than they are being played this year. Because points earned by players count towards their rankings for 52 weeks, the 850 points Federer earned last year by reaching the Canada final and winning the Cincinnati title will continue to count towards his ranking during the same Masters Series tournaments this year.
Come August 18, those 850 points will no longer count towards Federer's ranking. In contrast, Nadal will drop 230 points (225 points for reaching the Rogers Cup semifinals in 2007 and five points for losing his first match in Cincinnati in 2007.)
Federer and Nadal have been No. 1 and 2 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings every week since July 25, 2005 when Nadal became No. 2. Federer has ranked a record 234 consecutive weeks at No. 1 (since Feb. 2, 2004) and Nadal for 157 straight weeks at No. 2.
Beetje geduld nog Buurs.... :8:
Last year, ATP Masters Series events in Canada and Cincinnati were played two weeks later in the season than they are being played this year. Because points earned by players count towards their rankings for 52 weeks, the 850 points Federer earned last year by reaching the Canada final and winning the Cincinnati title will continue to count towards his ranking during the same Masters Series tournaments this year.
Come August 18, those 850 points will no longer count towards Federer's ranking. In contrast, Nadal will drop 230 points (225 points for reaching the Rogers Cup semifinals in 2007 and five points for losing his first match in Cincinnati in 2007.)
Federer and Nadal have been No. 1 and 2 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings every week since July 25, 2005 when Nadal became No. 2. Federer has ranked a record 234 consecutive weeks at No. 1 (since Feb. 2, 2004) and Nadal for 157 straight weeks at No. 2.
Beetje geduld nog Buurs.... :8: