{"id":24870,"date":"2020-03-14T14:34:03","date_gmt":"2020-03-14T18:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/?p=24870"},"modified":"2020-03-14T14:34:03","modified_gmt":"2020-03-14T18:34:03","slug":"atp-1st-quarter-power-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2020\/03\/14\/atp-1st-quarter-power-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"ATP 1st Quarter Power Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>With the ATP season now well underway, albeit currently suspended until at least April due to the coronavirus pandemic, it seemed an appropriate time to look back at how the tour\u2019s best had started their 2020 campaigns. So, using predominantly their performances in the first seven tournaments of the year but also their past form and current ranking-point hauls, here are the leaders in Last Word On Tennis\u2019 first quarter ATP power rankings:<\/p>\n<h2><strong>ATP Player Power Rankings<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h4><strong>16 &#8211; Dan Evans<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>A number of players have enjoyed good weeks on the ATP Tour without managing to convert that into a consistent string of results. But Britain\u2019s Dan Evans, though he has not won a title this season, does not fall under that category. He\u2019s climbed to a career-high ranking of world #28 and reached quarterfinals in Adelaide and Rotterdam as well as the last four in Dubai. His second-round loss at Melbourne Park keeps him from placing higher, but it has been a fine start to 2020 for Evans.<br \/>\n<a id=\"hXtwQLT9R6FsJbjJTPQyHw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1203649592\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'hXtwQLT9R6FsJbjJTPQyHw',sig:'L5IunRLoEFgmytT6vb9hE4MQ46ML1dW7tdTrM1FmZlk=',w:'594px',h:'401px',items:'1203649592',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>15 &#8211; Roberto Bautista Agut<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Roberto Bautista Agut enjoyed a magnificent 2019, highlighted by his run to the semifinals at Wimbledon (which caused the postponement of his bachelor party) and Spain\u2019s Davis Cup Finals triumph. His efforts at the latter tournament were made all the more impressive by the death of his father just days before his first match in Madrid. So far in 2020, he hasn\u2019t quite managed to back those results up, but his 9-3 record is respectable enough even if he has lost three of his last four matches.<br \/>\n<a id=\"YQTcOSk2ThpoIppJob37gQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1203220768\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'YQTcOSk2ThpoIppJob37gQ',sig:'pLetN1p7GKW07qqb8241IWLnRGTj-sCaezLwTgSxc0g=',w:'594px',h:'368px',items:'1203220768',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>14 &#8211; Vasek Pospisil<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>After returning from injury in 2019, Vasek Pospisil has been <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/02\/19\/vasek-pospisil-return-to-form-after-back-surgery\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">working his way back to his best<\/a> and the results are starting to come for the Canadian. He made a solid end to 2019 and has already reached two tour-level finals this season. His first-round loss at the Australian Open will doubtless be a disappointment, but the big-serving Ivo Karlovic is never an easy opponent. And whilst Pospisil is ranked 93<sup>rd<\/sup> in the world, with no points to defend until Wimbledon, don\u2019t be surprised to see him climb the rankings quickly.<br \/>\n<a id=\"YQTcOSk2ThpoIppJob37gQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1203220768\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'YQTcOSk2ThpoIppJob37gQ',sig:'pLetN1p7GKW07qqb8241IWLnRGTj-sCaezLwTgSxc0g=',w:'594px',h:'368px',items:'1203220768',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>13 &#8211; Cristian Garin<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to know exactly what to make of Cristian Garin. The Chilean has posted some very impressive results at some of the smaller clay-court events, even winning the ATP 500 Rio Open. But he has also, as of yet, failed to reach the third round at a Major and he has never won a title away from the clay, on the ATP Tour or at Challenger and Futures-level. So whilst he may be a threat during the truncated European clay-court swing, don\u2019t expect him to offer too much threat on hard courts and the grass.<br \/>\n<a id=\"aZHggG_ESgxP8nAWU-eCLg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1202892826\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'aZHggG_ESgxP8nAWU-eCLg',sig:'EQsAw2l9S52y_7PnLiudyZbhmF6Kob5wnpkqPl9rChs=',w:'594px',h:'436px',items:'1202892826',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>12 &#8211; Nick Kyrgios<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Nick Kyrgios remains a controversial figure, but he\u2019s played some fine tennis in 2020, reaching the ATP Cup semifinals with Australia and the second week at Melbourne Park, where it took some of Rafael Nadal\u2019s best tennis to stop him. He has been battling fitness concerns since, with his title defence at the Mexican Open ending in a first-round retirement. But the break in play should allow him to recover his fitness and the Australian could enjoy a strong second half to the season.<br \/>\n<a id=\"w94AsTlqRlh73P9z40AWIg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1203418992\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'w94AsTlqRlh73P9z40AWIg',sig:'TdJd-ruGcTOf-hQuYcn5VrkeKjKMeKKAD9bGZsLQRtA=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1203418992',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>11 &#8211; Stan Wawrinka<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The scale of Stan Wawrinka\u2019s achievements are sometimes overlooked. He is after all a three-time Major champion and although he may not be quite the force he once was, he remains a solid professional. The Swiss started his 2020 campaign with a run to the semifinals in Doha and he backed that up by reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals. If he can build up a head of steam when play resumes on the ATP Tour, don\u2019t expect to find many players eager to face him.<br \/>\n<a id=\"4CN5l8foS_t7JnE2T6mowQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1209181854\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'4CN5l8foS_t7JnE2T6mowQ',sig:'OSAFciGpNlsGyVNusDMqIqS7Lvq6O9yC_om0va7_Hps=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1209181854',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>10 &#8211; F\u00e9lix Auger-Aliassime<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Felix Auger-Aliassime played some excellent tennis during the brief European indoor swing, reaching the final in both Rotterdam and Marseille. He will doubtless have been disappointed to lose both, taking his tally of <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/02\/23\/five-finals-lost-auger-aliassime-more-to-come\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">final defeats to five<\/a>, but it was nonetheless another mark of progress for the young gun. A deep run at a Grand Slam remains elusive, with Auger-Aliassime yet to progress beyond the third round at a Major. But the future is bright for the teenager, particularly if he proves able to learn from his mistakes.<br \/>\n<a id=\"ni-SXkbXR2RxNrU-BKVwKA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1208902245\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ni-SXkbXR2RxNrU-BKVwKA',sig:'B3BSmB6kIViERbtE0Dqzx2ZcBrr1t8Dp3xiTjPa0kXw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1208902245',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>9 &#8211; Andrey Rublev<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Andrey Rublev looked almost unbeatable in the first two weeks of 2020. In fact, he went unbeaten, winning titles at the Qatar Open and the Adelaide International. But he fell short at the Australian Open in the fourth round, losing in straight-sets to Alexander Zverev. Nonetheless, his efforts have earned him a place in the world\u2019s top 20 and although his form stuttered in Rotterdam and Dubai, he could yet challenge Daniil Medvedev for the title of Russian #1.<br \/>\n<a id=\"_I4NVcHURUhAh3PQxhL_Jg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1203452082\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'_I4NVcHURUhAh3PQxhL_Jg',sig:'jtMD2UnYX5HKBF6TDknCDb9U5XcGmUUQvXi5WadVIKo=',w:'594px',h:'422px',items:'1203452082',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>8 &#8211; Alexander Zverev<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Zverev had a disappointing week at the ATP Cup, losing all three singles matches he played as Germany crashed out at the round-robin stage. But two weeks later, having offered to donate the entirety of his Australian Open prize money haul to the bushfire relief appeals, he ended up enjoying the best fortnight of his career, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/01\/30\/alexander-zverev-australian-open-semifinals\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">reaching the semifinals<\/a>. He did follow that with a second-round loss at the Mexican Open, but it still seems certain that his efforts in Melbourne mark a major breakthrough for the German.<br \/>\n<a id=\"TyXgNNG7Q3ddAHAh7-4T-g\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1208921531\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'TyXgNNG7Q3ddAHAh7-4T-g',sig:'L5S6cFPZy0erxBtLRyEqvIkoVwSzAjmzvi40iP2YStU=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1208921531',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>7 &#8211; Stefanos Tsitsipas<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Stefanos Tsitsipas made a rather indifferent start to the season. He failed to lead Greece out of the round-robin stage at the ATP Cup and then lost in the third round at the Australian Open. But he turned things around in Marseille, winning the title at the Open 13 for the second consecutive year, and he then reached the final at the Dubai Tennis Championships. That said, the Greek still has his work cut out if he wishes to dethrone the Big Three and make an impact at the Majors.<br \/>\n<a id=\"2R8vUP-vTVtYD4DGubgPFw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1209504363\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'2R8vUP-vTVtYD4DGubgPFw',sig:'UTdFd0FeUrElqFAJ5b5zzOEj4QDNw7eiPcyX7pvHbfI=',w:'594px',h:'357px',items:'1209504363',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>6 &#8211; Gael Monfils<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>For much of his career, despite his abundant talent, Gael Monfils failed to consistently challenge the very best in the sport. That was in part due to a succession of injuries, but the Frenchman also appeared, at times, to be more interested in appearing on the highlight reel than breaking into the winner\u2019s circle. This season, however, he has won back-to-back titles in Montpellier and Rotterdam, as well as reaching the fourth round in Melbourne and the semifinals in Dubai, all without losing any of his trademark qualities as a shot-maker, with his partner Elina Svitolina perhaps a calming influence. But it is still hard to see him winning that elusive Major title.<br \/>\n<a id=\"L9UURUAWQd1N7HZEx7Pnbw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1209297814\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'L9UURUAWQd1N7HZEx7Pnbw',sig:'aCE67U_RpV4D_mxPCM3Mvx9ePRllJyX4EHVCYT0w84E=',w:'594px',h:'434px',items:'1209297814',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>5 &#8211; Daniil Medvedev<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Daniil Medvedev enjoyed a career-best year in 2019, highlighted by a magical late season run that took him to back-to-back Masters 1000 titles in Cincinnati and Shanghai and the US Open final. Heading into 2020, he looked well-placed to offer a serious challenge to the hegemony of the Big Three. But although he played well at the ATP Cup, where Russia lost to the Serbians in the semifinals, he has failed to live up to those expectations so far this season. That said, form is temporary but class is permanent. Expect the Russian to bounce back before too long.<br \/>\n<a id=\"Do5rfihuRlxVDlqEfmoNiA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1205824421\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Do5rfihuRlxVDlqEfmoNiA',sig:'ls_itBGeJcOIhDGVwUlbAxxTQCwYe1BELs_YbLUpSqc=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1205824421',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>4 &#8211; Roger Federer<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>By Roger Federer\u2019s lofty standards, it has been a disappointing start to the year. The Swiss did reach the semifinals at the Australian Open, battling hard to do so, but was dispatched relatively comfortably there by his great rival Novak Djokovic. And his exertions in Melbourne saw him pick up a knee injury, which required surgery and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/02\/20\/roger-federer-out-roland-garros\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">has ruled him out until the grass-court season<\/a>. But with play now suspended on the ATP Tour until at least late April, Federer\u2019s timing may well have proven as good as ever.<br \/>\n<a id=\"YMPk5bmVSgpqCstXcU1COA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1202943334\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'YMPk5bmVSgpqCstXcU1COA',sig:'HwukFYkU1gf3kf1u_Y5N5qj6PtUykZvLlg4KqpDJWq4=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1202943334',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>3 &#8211; Dominic Thiem<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Dominic Thiem played some fine tennis at the back-end of 2019, winning titles in Beijing and Vienna before finishing as runner-up at the ATP Finals in London. And although he failed to fire at the ATP Cup, he was excellent at Melbourne Park, where he reached the final, scoring wins over Monfils, Nadal and Zverev en route. He ultimately fell just short there against Djokovic, despite leading two sets to one, but it was an impressive fortnight for the Austrian all the same. It increasingly feels that it is a matter of <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/01\/31\/dominic-thiem-path-grand-slam-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">when, not if, Thiem wins his first Major title<\/a>.<br \/>\n<a id=\"6gmnBayCQRlH2FC_5L3dDw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1202370907\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'6gmnBayCQRlH2FC_5L3dDw',sig:'_eExQhcby1PhVskLMdC3NeXIFPz8m5QlIVmbFDc8jMQ=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1202370907',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>2 &#8211; Rafael Nadal<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Nadal was not at his very best at the Australian Open, losing in the quarterfinals after a good showing at the ATP Cup. But he rebounded from that disappointment swiftly at the Mexican Open, where he won the 85<sup>th<\/sup> title of his glittering career. He may well be frustrated by the dent placed in the European clay-court swing by the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen play suspended for six weeks, but if he does get onto court on the terre battue, expect him to be a hard man to stop.<br \/>\n<a id=\"SjyLULLISe1a4CBDgjqM1Q\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1209629855\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'SjyLULLISe1a4CBDgjqM1Q',sig:'Rm0X2Lh_u7Kd__JzBiyo0Wi8IXuQYldxEzyiehWXjrw=',w:'594px',h:'398px',items:'1209629855',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>1 &#8211; Novak Djokovic<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Only one man could occupy top spot in these rankings and, unsurprisingly, it\u2019s the same player who occupies the ATP rankings penthouse. Djokovic has not yet lost this season in singles, posting an 18-0 record that has taken him to <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/02\/02\/novak-djokovic-defeats-dominic-thiem-record-eighth-australian-open\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">titles at the Australian Open<\/a> and in Dubai, as well as spearheading Serbia\u2019s successful ATP Cup campaign. And whilst he may not be as revered as Federer and Nadal, he is fast closing in on them in terms of on-court achievements. Perhaps with the exception of on the clay, he looks likely to be the favourite at every tournament he enters.<\/p>\n<p>Main photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"msygvay6SdZL6MZwSt6ytw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1203963222\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'msygvay6SdZL6MZwSt6ytw',sig:'7NloGrS5xKPGzRDhFUTvhapMPlHUQpdaIKMhDPnciQs=',w:'594px',h:'387px',items:'1203963222',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the ATP season now well underway, albeit currently suspended until at least April due to the coronavirus pandemic, it seemed an appropriate time to look back at how the tour\u2019s best had started their 2020 campaigns. So, using predominantly their performances in the first seven tournaments of the year but also their past form [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3246,"featured_media":24937,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,2],"tags":[85,511,18,205,1370,113,498,1219,144,209,22,135,114,115,304,775],"class_list":["post-24870","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-atp","category-featured","tag-alexander-zverev","tag-andrey-rublev","tag-atp","tag-australian-open","tag-christian-garin","tag-dan-evans","tag-daniil-medvedev","tag-felix-auger-aliassime","tag-gael-monfils","tag-nick-kyrgios","tag-novak-djokovic","tag-rafael-nadal","tag-roger-federer","tag-stan-wawrinka","tag-stefanos-tsitsipas","tag-vasek-pospisil"],"modified_by":"Jim Smith","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24870","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3246"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24870"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24870\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24870"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24870"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}