Second Tennis Power Ranking 2014

Not a lot has happened since Melbourne and that is about to change with two Masters 1000 events being played in succession

1. Rafael Nadal – Rafa has won 2 events in 2014 and was runner-up at the first slam.  He is a lock for the top spot right now.  
2. Stanislas Wawrinka – Winning the Australian Open as well as a tune-up has him at #2.  He has played very little since Melbourne (1 Davis Cup match), but he’s #2 for now.
3. Roger Federer – His title in Dubai complete with wins over Nole and Berdych have Federer rising.  2014 may not be a vintage year for Federer, but it has already surpassed much of 2013.  Change since last ranking +1
4. Novak Djokovic – He ended 2013 on a major roll.  2014 has yet to match that run.  It is early and both of his losses have come in deciding sets against top flight players.  The warning signs of near misses in 2013 weighing on his confidence are there though.  Change since last ranking -1
5. Tomas Berdych – I nearly moved him to the 4th slot.  Berdych has a title, a Grand Slam semifinal and a tournament runner-up finish to his name in 2014.  He’s playing well and if the tour becomes slightly less predictable he might sneak through and win a Masters 1000 in the coming month.  Change since last ranking +1 
6. Grigor Dimitrov – Last fall, Dimitrov finally took his first title.  In Australia, he out dueled Milos Raonic and played Rafa tough in his first major quarterfinal.  Now, he has a win over Murray and a second career title.  Dimitrov is on the way up, and is a contender for both the Indian Wells and Miami titles.  Change since last ranking +2
7. Andy Murray – Murray does not yet appear to be fully recovered from his surgery.  A healthy Murray is in the top 4 in the world.  At the moment, he looks more like a top 20 player knocking rust off of his game.  Murray has little cause for panic in Indian Wells, but he does defend 1000 points in Miami.
8. Marin Cilic – The Croatian has come back from a PED suspension in strong form.  His 16-3 record in 2014 boasts two tournament titles and one runner-up finish.  Change since last ranking – not ranked 
9. David Ferrer – Ferrer does have one title in 2014, but he dropped an unexpected match in Rio and is inured pulling out of Mexico and now skipping Indian Wells.
10. Kevin Anderson – Mr. Anderson has been runner-up each of the past two weeks.  He also sprung an upset of the injured David Ferrer in Mexico.  His near misses against Cilic and Dimitrov in each championship match demonstrate his level of play.  Change since last ranking – not ranked

Biggest Mover – Grigor Dimitrov – He gained two spots with his title in Mexico and win over Andy Murray.

Entered the Poll – Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson – Each man has been consistent and more important has been winning in 2014.

Dropped Out of the Poll – Juan Martin del Potro – His left wrist is a major question mark.  Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also dropped out of the poll.