After Novak Djokovic failed to retain his title at Rome, this means he will lose the world no.3 spot to Andy Murray on May 11.Murray is set to become the highest ever ranked British player since the computerised rankings system was introduced in 1973.
Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski - have held the no. 4 spot, but none have gone higher than that.
Here's Murray's journey to no.3:
July, 2003 Andy Murray’s first ranking was No 774. He ended the year ranked No 539. Won US Open Junior Championship in September 2004 at No 479. Ended the year ranked No 449.
2005 Climbed to No 65 as he won first ATP Tour match at Queen's Club in June. Won two challenger titles in the United States in the summer and reached second round of US Open.
2006 Won his first ATP Tour title in San Jose in February, ranked No 42. Reached Wimbledon and US Open fourth rounds to become No 16 in September. Ended year on the same mark.
2007 Reached the top ten in April after semi- finals in Indian Wells and Miami Masters. In June, reached No 8 but had three months out with wrist injury and ended the year at No 11.
2008 Won five ATP titles, his first Masters title in Cincinnati when ranked No 6, reaching a career-high No 4 after reaching the final of the US Open. Won Masters Series event in Madrid and reached Masters Cup Final in Shanghai. Has been No 4 ever since.
2009 Reached Australian Open fourth round, won titles in Doha, Rotterdam and the Masters in Miami. Reached semi-finals in Monte Carlo in April.
(Via Times Online)
