Tennis Abides Power Ranking 2014

Ranking #10: Cincinnati

1. Novak Djokovic – Nole stays at #1, but his play in Toronto and Cincinnati will not be good enough to win in New York.  I expect Novak to round into form, but this was not the most reassuring hard court swing for his supporters.
2. Roger Federer – Rafa has had an overall better 2014, but in Roger’s past 4 tournaments he’s won Halle, been runner-up at Wimbledon and Masters Toronto and won Cincinnati.  Aside from pocketing a cool 3050 ranking points, Roger enters the US Open as the form horse without a possibility of facing his nemesis.  6 titles in Cincinnati is not bad either.  Change since last ranking +1
3. Rafael Nadal – He is out of the US Open.  His 2014 Grand Slam season has the highlights of a 9th Roland Garros title and a 3rd Australian Open final appearance, but after opening the year 13-1 in Grand Slam play Rafa posts a 3-1 record at Wimbledon and a DNP doctor’s decision for the US Open.  Change since last ranking – 1
4. Milos Raonic – The big Canadian has been a picture of consistency in Masters 1000 events this year, he posted his best two Grand Slam results at the two most recent slams and won Washington, DC.  His serve is also lethal as I can say from seeing it live.  Change since last ranking +1 
5. David Ferrer – Two near misses versus Roger Federer and a lot of wins on hard courts have the Wolverine of the ATP Tour looking strong heading into the US Open.  Change since last ranking – Not ranked
6. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – His run in Toronto is not totally negated by a tough first round draw and loss to Mikhail Youzhny.  Change since last ranking – 2
7. Grigor Dimitrov – Grigor lost a tough 3 set match to Jerzy.  While that is not a terrible loss, Ferrer’s dogged play pushes him down a slot.  Change since last ranking: – 1
8. Andy Murray – The good news is that Andy won some nice matches and reached the quarters to set up a showdown with Roger Federer.  The bad news is that Federer blitzed Murray in the first set and then Murray surrendered a double break lead in the second set to lose in straight sets.  Change since last ranking +2
9. Marin Cilic – Marin did not have a great event in Cincinnati, but he’s still playing well as of late.  Change since last ranking: -1
10. Stanislas Wawrinka – Stan is 12-1 in his previous 2 hard court Grand Slams and knows he can cross the finish line in New York.  His form heading into the US Open is not great though. Change since last ranking – 1

Entered the Poll – David Ferrer

Dropped out of the Poll – Feliciano Lopez 

Biggest Mover – Andy Murray + 2