This Month, Russian Tennis Player Daniil Medvedev Is Predicted To Overtake Djokovic From The Top Rankings Of The ATP Tour

Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev. (Photo: Doc. Antara Foto/Reuters)

JAKARTA - World number two from Russia, Daniil Medvedev, has a great chance to overtake Novak Djokovic's ATP Tour top-ranking throne at the end of February.

As quoted by Antara, Sunday, February 13, Medvedev's biggest key to making new history in his tennis career was by winning the title from the ATP 500 Mexico Open in Acapulco which took place on February 21-26, as reported by the ATP on Sunday.

If Medvedev wins the ATP 500 level tournament, then on February 28 he will certainly become the 27th player to reach the top spot.

Meanwhile, Djokovic who will hold a record 361 weeks at the Mexico Open, has no control over stopping Medvedev if the Russian lifts the trophy.

The Serbian also competes on February 21 in Dubai. Apart from the prediction above, there is another scenario where Medvedev can reach world number one if he doesn't win the title in Acapulco. However, this also opens up an opportunity for Djokovic to maintain his position at the top of the tennis mountain if he wins in Dubai.

Currently, Djokovic has been ranked number one in the world for at least 86 consecutive weeks. His longest record at the top of the standings lasted for 122 weeks, from 7 July 2014 to 6 November 2016.

If Medvedev becomes world number one, he will become the third Russian to achieve the feat, joining Yevgeny Kafelnikov (1999) and Marat Safin (2000-01). Medvedev will also join Andy Murray as the only world number one since Djokovic first reached the top spot in July 2011.

The last player outside the top four, namely Djokovic, Roger Federer, Murray, and Rafael Nadal, to hold another number 1 position was Andy Roddick on February 1, 2004.

Here's a scenario where Medvedev will rise to World No. 1 on 28 February.

1. Medvedev won the Acapulco title, regardless of Djokovic's result in Dubai

2. Medvedev reached the final of Acapulco and Djokovic did not win the Dubai title

3. Medvedev reached the semifinals of Acapulco and Djokovic did not reach the finals of Dubai

4. Medvedev reached the quarter-finals of Acapulco and Djokovic did not reach the semifinals of Dubai

5. Medvedev reached the second round in Acapulco and Djokovic did not reach the Dubai semifinals

6. Medvedev lost in the first round in Acapulco and Djokovic did not reach the Dubai quarter-finals