Analysis of the ATP Race Rankings

Sep 2, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Roger Federer (SUI) celebrates after recording match point against Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) on day nine of the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

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The two first time Grand Slam champions of 2014 have both earned the right to play in the World Tour Finals in London and will be hoping that they can steal the headlines again at the O2.

Stan Wawrinka

Rankings: 4th – 5385 points

Race: 4th – 4805 points (qualified)

Defending (2013): Basel (R32 – 0), Paris (W – 180), London (S – 400)

To Play (2014): Basel, Paris, London

The 2014 Australian Open champions flew up the rankings courtesy of the 2000 points given to a Grand Slam winner. Despite a Masters 1000 win in Monte Carlo, Wawrinka will be looking over his shoulder rather than ahead as we go into the final stages of 2014.

There are a host men who are hot on his heels, with Dimitrov down in eleventh in the Race only 1250 points off of the Swiss man. Nevertheless, he has qualified for the World Tour Finals and will be looking to make the most of the points on offer in London as he did last year.

A Round Robin victory at the O2 gets you 200 points and Wawrinka will be keen to maintain his ranking heading into 2015, as being in the Top 4 for the Australian Open draw is incredibly valuable. It essentially means avoiding the Big 3 of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal until at least the semi-finals.

Marin Cilic

Rankings: 8th – 4105 points

Race: 6th – 4150 points (qualified)

Defending (2013): Basel (w/o – 0), Paris (R32 – 45)

To Play (2014): Paris, London

US Open Marin Cilic has qualified for the World Tour Finals despite being 6th in the Race, behind Kei Nishikori who is still yet to have officially secured his place. The Croat benefits from a rule that says one Grand Slam winner can qualify for the O2 even if they are outside the Top 8.

In fact, the rule states that places 1 to 7 gain entry into the World Tour Finals and #8 is reserved for a Grand Slam winner. Now that Wawrinka is guaranteed qualification mathematically, it means Cilic will be playing at London.

Cilic can go up or down in the Rankings before the end of the year, depending on his showing in Paris and London. With his place secure he has withdrawn from the Valencia 500 this week and will return in Paris looking to rise further up the Rankings.

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