14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal’s misery continued this year after he dropped a ladder to No. 8 in the latest release of the men’s singles rankings by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).

This comes after his compatriot David Ferrer clinched the Kuala Lumpur title and amassed 250 ATP points to his kitty, thereby overtaking Nadal for the 7^th spot after exchange of places.

Feliciano Lopez, who was the runner-up in Kuala Lumpur, also ascended two places to No. 14 as Belgium’s David Goffin (16) had to make way for him.  Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, the semi-finalist last week here, also soared 7 steps to be placed 34^th in the world.

Muguruza into Top Five

Spain’s Garbine Muguruza achieved a career-best ranking of No. 5 in the world after a runner-up finish at the last week’s Wuhan Open that saw her rise 3 places.

Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova made her way into the Top 10 again after a quarter-final appearance in Wuhan, following which she has moved up to No. 9.