Novak Djokovic strengthens grip on top ranking as Naomi Osaka creates history

Alex Fisher

Novak Djokovic strengthens grip on top ranking as Naomi Osaka creates history image

Novak Djokovic strengthened his grip on the world number one spot after victory at the Australian Open, while breakout stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Frances Tiafoe earned career-high rankings.

Djokovic cruised to a record seventh title in Melbourne with his straight-sets victory over Rafael Nadal in Sunday's final, a win that saw him extend his advantage over the Spaniard by 980 points.

Roger Federer's fourth-round exit to Tsitsipas at 2019's first grand slam sees him slip three places to sixth in the world, with Alexander Zverev, Juan Martin del Potro and Kevin Anderson climbing above him.

Tsitsipas' reward for reaching the last four sees him move to 12th in the rankings, his personal best, while Tiafoe has broken into the top-30 for the first time after rising nine spots.

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It is all change at the top of the WTA rankings with Naomi Osaka and Petra Kvitova taking the top-two places from Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber.

Osaka has a 740-point advantage over Kvitova after winning their duel in Saturday's final, the Japanese becoming the first player since Jennifer Capriati in 2001 to win her first two grand slams back-to-back.

Halep drops to third after her fourth-round defeat to Serena Williams, who rises five places to 11th.

Semi-finalist Danielle Collins jumps 12 to a career-best 23, a fine reward for a stunning performance in Melbourne that included wins over Julia Goerges, Caroline Garcia and Kerber.

ATP RANKINGS: TOP 10

RANK PLAYER POINTS
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10955
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8320
3 Alexander Zverev (DEU) 6475
4 Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5060
5 Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4845
6 Roger Federer (SUI) 4600
7 Kei Nishikori (JAP) 4110
8 Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3960
9 John Isner (USA) 3155
10 Marin Cilic (CRO) 3140

WTA RANKINGS: TOP 10

RANK PLAYER POINTS
1 Naomi Osaka (JAP) 7030
2 Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6290
3 Simona Halep (ROU) 5582
4 Sloane Stephens (USA) 5307
5 Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5100
6 Angelique Kerber (DEU) 4965
7 Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4940
8 Kiki Bertens (NED) 4430
9 Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3566
10 Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3485

Alex Fisher