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Brian Swartz · 04-21-2016, 07:47 PM

2054 Final Top Ten Rankings

1. Antonin Iglar(CZE, 28) -- 15,030

Iglar just had arguably his finest overall year -- and that's saying something. He tied his lowest number of defeats ever(5) and was one off his best for wins(88). He's cemented his place as one of the top all-time greats -- more on that in a bit -- and will likely stay at the top of the rankings for at least another couple of years.

2. Anil Mehul(SRI, 28) -- 9,790

A slightly disappointing season for Mehul, but he managed to stay in the #2 spot despite a brief blip. It's no longer presumed that he'll stay there, but he had his third-straight 70-win season(75-15) and will still be a major factor some while yet.

3. Bjorn Benda(DEU, 30) -- 9,330

Benda has refused to go quietly. His shocking first title at the Paris Masters gave him 13 total Masters Shields, good for an 8th-place tie on the all-time list. He's impressively managed to keep his serve at a world-class level despite the advance of time, and is still the best clay-courter in the world.

4. Girish Girsh(SRI, 25) -- 8,050

A strong finish for the most part allowed Girsh to make some serious inroads on the usual challengers ahead of him, and it may not be long before he surpasses them.

5. Cestmir Marcek(CZE, 30) -- 5,510

Reality is finally starting to set in for Marcek, now merely the best of the third tier. He lost 26 matches this year, four more than in any previous season, though he did equal his best of a year ago with 64 victories. Still, he's looking more and more vulnerable these days.

6. Pierce Gaskell(USA, 28) -- 4,710

It looks like Gaskell may well lose the top US spot to Smitala soon. He continues to play a ridiculously reckless schedule, racking up 108 singles matches this year. His speed is slowly becoming less of a weapon, and he could be looking at the beginning of the end.

7. Radek Smitala(USA, 27) -- 4,680

Smitala is the polar opposite of Gaskell, making the most of his gifts by playing a sparse schedule. He was only involved in 19 tournaments, two fewer than any other Top 10 player. It looks like time is running out on him now; his best tennis is probably a year behind him, but he still has a chance to become the USA's top player for a bit.

8. Thiago Herrera(PER, 27) -- 4,475

The occasional good result off clay has elevated Herrera into the middle of the pack here.

9. Gustavo Caratti(ARG, 25) -- 3,125

Caratti's going to be around for a while, and his athleticism should allow him to gradually pick off the older players in front of him.

10. Mugur Kinczllers(ITA, 25) -- 3,060

In and out of the first page this year, Kinczllers notably knocked off Benda a couple times, and made Masters semifinals in Rome and Cincinatti. Just needs a little more consistency.

Journeyman Milan Farkas, the Czech no. 3, made a brief appearance last year and could do so again. The next few behind him are on the decline, but after them there are some younger faces charging. Elias Trulsen(SWE, 25), Tobia Alberti(ITA, 25), along with the young French players that have been discussed before, Poilblan and Bourdet, are all continuing to push their way upwards. I'm not sure anyone in that quartet makes the Top 10 this year, at least until I take a closer look, but they'll be knocking on the door most likely.

04-21-2016, 07:47 PM	#323
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	2054 Final Top Ten Rankings 1. Antonin Iglar(CZE, 28) -- 15,030 Iglar just had arguably his finest overall year -- and that's saying something. He tied his lowest number of defeats ever(5) and was one off his best for wins(88). He's cemented his place as one of the top all-time greats -- more on that in a bit -- and will likely stay at the top of the rankings for at least another couple of years. 2. Anil Mehul(SRI, 28) -- 9,790 A slightly disappointing season for Mehul, but he managed to stay in the #2 spot despite a brief blip. It's no longer presumed that he'll stay there, but he had his third-straight 70-win season(75-15) and will still be a major factor some while yet. 3. Bjorn Benda(DEU, 30) -- 9,330 Benda has refused to go quietly. His shocking first title at the Paris Masters gave him 13 total Masters Shields, good for an 8th-place tie on the all-time list. He's impressively managed to keep his serve at a world-class level despite the advance of time, and is still the best clay-courter in the world. 4. Girish Girsh(SRI, 25) -- 8,050 A strong finish for the most part allowed Girsh to make some serious inroads on the usual challengers ahead of him, and it may not be long before he surpasses them. 5. Cestmir Marcek(CZE, 30) -- 5,510 Reality is finally starting to set in for Marcek, now merely the best of the third tier. He lost 26 matches this year, four more than in any previous season, though he did equal his best of a year ago with 64 victories. Still, he's looking more and more vulnerable these days. 6. Pierce Gaskell(USA, 28) -- 4,710 It looks like Gaskell may well lose the top US spot to Smitala soon. He continues to play a ridiculously reckless schedule, racking up 108 singles matches this year. His speed is slowly becoming less of a weapon, and he could be looking at the beginning of the end. 7. Radek Smitala(USA, 27) -- 4,680 Smitala is the polar opposite of Gaskell, making the most of his gifts by playing a sparse schedule. He was only involved in 19 tournaments, two fewer than any other Top 10 player. It looks like time is running out on him now; his best tennis is probably a year behind him, but he still has a chance to become the USA's top player for a bit. 8. Thiago Herrera(PER, 27) -- 4,475 The occasional good result off clay has elevated Herrera into the middle of the pack here. 9. Gustavo Caratti(ARG, 25) -- 3,125 Caratti's going to be around for a while, and his athleticism should allow him to gradually pick off the older players in front of him. 10. Mugur Kinczllers(ITA, 25) -- 3,060 In and out of the first page this year, Kinczllers notably knocked off Benda a couple times, and made Masters semifinals in Rome and Cincinatti. Just needs a little more consistency. Journeyman Milan Farkas, the Czech no. 3, made a brief appearance last year and could do so again. The next few behind him are on the decline, but after them there are some younger faces charging. Elias Trulsen(SWE, 25), Tobia Alberti(ITA, 25), along with the young French players that have been discussed before, Poilblan and Bourdet, are all continuing to push their way upwards. I'm not sure anyone in that quartet makes the Top 10 this year, at least until I take a closer look, but they'll be knocking on the door most likely.