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Brian Swartz · 07-19-2019, 05:18 PM

Q3 Rankings Update

1. Nicolas Perez (24, ARG) - 12,460

Perez now has 5 Slam titles and a handful of Masters, well on his way to stamping his place in history.

2. John Hart (29, IRE) - 9,240

Hart dropped down to #3 barely for a week, then narrowly back up ... he'll soon lose the spot for good I think. Regardless, this seems a good time to summarize his outstanding career as it's unlikely IMO that he wins another major title. 9 Slams him 7th in the all-time list, along with three WTF (T-6th), 23 Masters (T-6th with Haresign), and 196 weeks at #1 (7th). The one blemish really is no Olympic gold, but still overall you can't place him worse than 7th. Probably ends up at the top of the third tier rather than at the bottom of the second depending on how you slice it, but his achievements compare favorably to any player I've ever had. Add in spearheading the best run of success in the WTC and his place in the memory of tennis fans everywhere is assured.

3. Harald Wentz (24, AUT) - 9,230

From the past back to the present, where Wentz aims to claim the spot of top challenger to Perez's throne securely. Two Slam finals this year without a title, but it seems unlikely he'll go without indefinitely. Even for a fast-riser such as him, there's a couple years yet before his abilities begin to erode.

4. Chisulo Mpakati (24, ZIM) - 5,975

I just can't get over the fact that three of the top four are 24 years old. Mpakati has been more consistent this year, he's just not quite as good as Perez or Wentz. Still, I expect him to continually gradually adding to his total and separating himself from the rest.

5. Il-Sung Jung (25, KOR) - 4,845

The enigmatic Jung waits his chance to break into the Top 4, even as he refuses to give up on doubles ambitions.

6. Ali Solberg (28, SWE) - 4,630

Not all of the old guard are content to meekly fade away.

7. Ollie Haas (25, NLD) - 4,445

Disappointing result at the USO, but Haas has never put enough time into hardcourts.

8. Tim de Jong (26, NLD) - 4,270

A very sound pair of Dutchmen continue their efforts.

9. Srba Dogic (25, CRO) - 4,175

Dogic has returned to reality after the fool's gold of last year's surge.

10. Calisto Aviles (23, ESP) - 3,655

Aviles is still very much a question mark.

11. Barry Molyneaux (29, USA)

Another elder statesman slips out of view. The US Open has always been his bread and butter, and a 4th-round exit demonstrates for good that his time is done.

12. Tobias Velilla (23, ARG)

13. Lucas Perez (25, ARG)

Argentina could soon place a trio of performers in the Top 10.

14. Emilien Mathou (26, FRA)

Would just as soon never play Chiba again.

19. Clavet Moniotte (26, FRA)

20. Sushant Chiba (31, SRI)

21. Acke Kjaerstad (24, SWE)

22. Algot Hakanson (26, SWE)

Hakanson has made the third round of the last three Slams, and like so many others is waiting for his big break.

23. Amrik Kasaravalli (25, SRI)

Best-ever ranking, but still a long ways from the next tier above.

24. Fabio Cagide (22, ESP)

Spain's next hope, but still has a half-dozen challenger titles on his resume.

28. Joao Narciso (23, BRA)

Similarly, Narciso is holding his ground admirably but has an obscene amount of challenger points yet to replace.

31. Santino Belmon (25, ITA)

32. Ross Vicars (20, USA)

20 years old and ranked 32nd in the world. That's a heck of a thing. It'll be curious to see if Vicars really is that good.

We have 10 in the 28 & up category that will eventually be falling out. Some sooner than others of course, but there are spots there available to be taken. The bunching up is not nearly what it was a year or two ago ... but the next generation coming up promises to eventually recreate that situation. What we're seeing here is a lull, a brief moment of opportunity for players to make a name for themselves if they can strike RIGHT NOW.

35. Odimos Csollang (21, ROU)

I feel I'd be remiss not to mention him after the USO run in which he pushed an eventual semifinalist. Csollang seems one of those best-positioned to seize the moment soon.

36. Helmut Edlund (22, SWE)

Continuing to hang out right here on the edge.

41. Willy Weigl (22, AUT)

As is Weigl.

55. Mark Smith (20, GBR)

Smith's apparent disregard for the idea of waiting a decent interval is impressive. He recently seized the Ningboo CH2 title, his third at the challenger level.

71(D). Satyagit Guha (21, SRI)

586th in singles, Guha has been pushing forward with some consistency recently.

73(D). Nasir Chittoor (20, SRI)

The recent challenger singles successes have Chittoor at his career-best of 98th, but he'll be losing some of that at least temporarily. Some runner-up finishes from last season will be dropping off, and he's due for an extended stint on the practice courts.

74. Tommy Fitzpatrick (21, IRE)

Continuing to hang out in the good-but-not-elite challenger space.

84. Shakti Vemireddy (20, SRI)

Shivakumar has indeed fallen off the grid as feared, but Vemireddy soldiers on. A runner-up showing at CH1 Beijing a few weeks back was his best yet ... still looking for that elusive first challenger trophy.

153. Ritwik Intodia (20, SRI)

A month ago, CH3 Brasilia was Intodia's first Challenger-level win.

180. Helmut Hoetker (19, SUI)

A couple low-level challenger semis in recent months for Hoetker, who continues to work to establish himself at this level.

199. Rakesh Kayeeda (20, SRI)

Popped back into the Top 200 just this past week after an extended stay below the line. Can he stick this time?

285. Lubos Rucklov (19, CZE)

Tearing up the futures ranks, Rucklov won his first FT1 recently in his home country. He's coming up, and soon.

598. Chiang-hui Cheng (18, TPE)

Cheng has definitely straightened himself out, claiming an amateur title and then a couple of low-level futures since last we looked. He has also endured a few early-round futures exits, but with improving draws that problem should at least partially take care of itself.

1407. Mike Corey (18, USA)

Still plowing away through the juniors, a recent JG1 title but also still playing too much.

07-19-2019, 05:18 PM	#1110
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	Q3 Rankings Update 1. Nicolas Perez (24, ARG) - 12,460 Perez now has 5 Slam titles and a handful of Masters, well on his way to stamping his place in history. 2. John Hart (29, IRE) - 9,240 Hart dropped down to #3 barely for a week, then narrowly back up ... he'll soon lose the spot for good I think. Regardless, this seems a good time to summarize his outstanding career as it's unlikely IMO that he wins another major title. 9 Slams him 7th in the all-time list, along with three WTF (T-6th), 23 Masters (T-6th with Haresign), and 196 weeks at #1 (7th). The one blemish really is no Olympic gold, but still overall you can't place him worse than 7th. Probably ends up at the top of the third tier rather than at the bottom of the second depending on how you slice it, but his achievements compare favorably to any player I've ever had. Add in spearheading the best run of success in the WTC and his place in the memory of tennis fans everywhere is assured. 3. Harald Wentz (24, AUT) - 9,230 From the past back to the present, where Wentz aims to claim the spot of top challenger to Perez's throne securely. Two Slam finals this year without a title, but it seems unlikely he'll go without indefinitely. Even for a fast-riser such as him, there's a couple years yet before his abilities begin to erode. 4. Chisulo Mpakati (24, ZIM) - 5,975 I just can't get over the fact that three of the top four are 24 years old. Mpakati has been more consistent this year, he's just not quite as good as Perez or Wentz. Still, I expect him to continually gradually adding to his total and separating himself from the rest. 5. Il-Sung Jung (25, KOR) - 4,845 The enigmatic Jung waits his chance to break into the Top 4, even as he refuses to give up on doubles ambitions. 6. Ali Solberg (28, SWE) - 4,630 Not all of the old guard are content to meekly fade away. 7. Ollie Haas (25, NLD) - 4,445 Disappointing result at the USO, but Haas has never put enough time into hardcourts. 8. Tim de Jong (26, NLD) - 4,270 A very sound pair of Dutchmen continue their efforts. 9. Srba Dogic (25, CRO) - 4,175 Dogic has returned to reality after the fool's gold of last year's surge. 10. Calisto Aviles (23, ESP) - 3,655 Aviles is still very much a question mark. 11. Barry Molyneaux (29, USA) Another elder statesman slips out of view. The US Open has always been his bread and butter, and a 4th-round exit demonstrates for good that his time is done. 12. Tobias Velilla (23, ARG) 13. Lucas Perez (25, ARG) Argentina could soon place a trio of performers in the Top 10. 14. Emilien Mathou (26, FRA) Would just as soon never play Chiba again. 19. Clavet Moniotte (26, FRA) 20. Sushant Chiba (31, SRI) 21. Acke Kjaerstad (24, SWE) 22. Algot Hakanson (26, SWE) Hakanson has made the third round of the last three Slams, and like so many others is waiting for his big break. 23. Amrik Kasaravalli (25, SRI) Best-ever ranking, but still a long ways from the next tier above. 24. Fabio Cagide (22, ESP) Spain's next hope, but still has a half-dozen challenger titles on his resume. 28. Joao Narciso (23, BRA) Similarly, Narciso is holding his ground admirably but has an obscene amount of challenger points yet to replace. 31. Santino Belmon (25, ITA) 32. Ross Vicars (20, USA) 20 years old and ranked 32nd in the world. That's a heck of a thing. It'll be curious to see if Vicars really is that good. We have 10 in the 28 & up category that will eventually be falling out. Some sooner than others of course, but there are spots there available to be taken. The bunching up is not nearly what it was a year or two ago ... but the next generation coming up promises to eventually recreate that situation. What we're seeing here is a lull, a brief moment of opportunity for players to make a name for themselves if they can strike RIGHT NOW. 35. Odimos Csollang (21, ROU) I feel I'd be remiss not to mention him after the USO run in which he pushed an eventual semifinalist. Csollang seems one of those best-positioned to seize the moment soon. 36. Helmut Edlund (22, SWE) Continuing to hang out right here on the edge. 41. Willy Weigl (22, AUT) As is Weigl. 55. Mark Smith (20, GBR) Smith's apparent disregard for the idea of waiting a decent interval is impressive. He recently seized the Ningboo CH2 title, his third at the challenger level. 71(D). Satyagit Guha (21, SRI) 586th in singles, Guha has been pushing forward with some consistency recently. 73(D). Nasir Chittoor (20, SRI) The recent challenger singles successes have Chittoor at his career-best of 98th, but he'll be losing some of that at least temporarily. Some runner-up finishes from last season will be dropping off, and he's due for an extended stint on the practice courts. 74. Tommy Fitzpatrick (21, IRE) Continuing to hang out in the good-but-not-elite challenger space. 84. Shakti Vemireddy (20, SRI) Shivakumar has indeed fallen off the grid as feared, but Vemireddy soldiers on. A runner-up showing at CH1 Beijing a few weeks back was his best yet ... still looking for that elusive first challenger trophy. 153. Ritwik Intodia (20, SRI) A month ago, CH3 Brasilia was Intodia's first Challenger-level win. 180. Helmut Hoetker (19, SUI) A couple low-level challenger semis in recent months for Hoetker, who continues to work to establish himself at this level. 199. Rakesh Kayeeda (20, SRI) Popped back into the Top 200 just this past week after an extended stay below the line. Can he stick this time? 285. Lubos Rucklov (19, CZE) Tearing up the futures ranks, Rucklov won his first FT1 recently in his home country. He's coming up, and soon. 598. Chiang-hui Cheng (18, TPE) Cheng has definitely straightened himself out, claiming an amateur title and then a couple of low-level futures since last we looked. He has also endured a few early-round futures exits, but with improving draws that problem should at least partially take care of itself. 1407. Mike Corey (18, USA) Still plowing away through the juniors, a recent JG1 title but also still playing too much.