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Not too many gamers moved into the Prime 20 this 12 months, which is comprehensible considering the rankings freeze. Veterans Roberto Bautista Agut and Stan Wawrinka each fell barely, however every participant had a stable season to show that they nonetheless belong within the top-20 of their 30s. Fabio Fognini struggled all through 2020, and he’ll be glad about the rankings adjustment.
16. Pablo Carreno Busta
Win/loss report (tour-level matches): 20-12
2019 rank: #27 (+11)
Pablo Carreno Busta was one of many stars of 2020, particularly for informal followers, as he performed his greatest tennis on the largest phases. He started the 12 months ranked thirtieth and had a good third spherical exhibiting on the Australian Open. Carreno Busta had an awesome run in Rotterdam, reaching the semifinal and scoring a win over countryman Roberto Bautista Agut within the course of. He had gained sufficient to enhance his rating to #25 earlier than the break, however his peak of the season was but to return.
He had a breakthrough efficiency on the US Open, reaching the semifinal for the second time in his profession. Many thought-about him fortunate to beat world #1 Novak Djokovic by default in the fourth round, however he broke Djokovic’s serve at 5-5 after defending a number of set factors the earlier recreation, main frustration that induced the disqualification. To additional show he deserved his spot, the Spaniard topped Denis Shapovalov in an exciting five-set quarterfinal.
He confirmed his talents on all surfaces by reaching the quarterfinal on the French Open, equaling his career-best consequence on the match. He completed the 12 months on a excessive notice with a quarterfinal on the Paris Masters, shedding to Rafael Nadal for the third time in 2020 at a Masters or Grand Slam occasion. Carreno Busta confirmed he can performed with the highest gamers after a wonderful second half of 2020, and can rocket up the rankings if he continues his type. In actual fact, he would already be ranked larger if not for the frozen rankings.
17. Fabio Fognini
Win/loss report (tour-level matches): 6-10
2019 rank: #12 (-5)
Fognini is a bit robust to evaluate in his latest outcomes as a consequence of restricted play, however the Italian had a horrible season by any measure. After combined outcomes down beneath to begin 2020, Fognini made the Spherical of 16 on the Australian Open, profitable two five-set battles within the course of. This match would find yourself accounting for half of his wins for the whole season. After three losses in a row on onerous courts, Fognini gave the impression to be completely suited to make a run within the last months of the 12 months because the season turned to clay, the Italian’s favourite floor.
The clay courts didn’t do him any favors, although. He misplaced three of his first 4 matches in straight units. Fognini ended his 12 months at Roland Garros, the place the previous French Open quarterfinalist misplaced to World #88 Mikhail Kukushkin in a disappointing finish to a tricky 12 months. Fognini has mentioned his focus is on 2021 and he’s motivated, however he should play very completely different tennis to stay a high participant.
18. Stan Wawrinka
Win/loss report (tour-level matches): 15-8
2019 rank: #16 (-2)
Wawrinka had been coping with some accidents and coming into his age-35 season, many felt his time on tour was restricted. The Swiss proved all through 2020 that he won’t be stepping down anytime quickly. Wawrinka began 2020 sturdy with a quarterfinal look on the Australian Open, highlighted by a five-set victory over Daniil Medvedev.
Wawrinka opted out of touring to the US for virus considerations, however picked up a Challenger title in Prague, his first title of any variety since 2017. He was upset within the third spherical at Roland Garros by the thrilling younger Frenchman Hugo Gaston, however recovered to complete sturdy on the Paris Masters, making the quarterfinal and defeating Andrey Rublev alongside the best way. The Swiss continued to be the participant he has been a lot of his profession. He doesn’t dominate all year long, however he proved harmful every time he took the court docket, and is poised to return into 2021 sturdy.
19. Grigor Dimitrov
Win/loss report (tour-level matches): 18-11
2019 rank: #20 (+1)
Dimitrov hoped to construct on a profitable 2019, which noticed him attain the US Open semifinals for the primary time. He’s one other participant who had a mean begin to the season then performed his greatest after the break. Paradoxically, his greatest tennis got here after recovering from COVID-19 in June. The Bulgarian didn’t advance previous the second spherical of his first three tournaments, however had an encouraging lead to Acapulco, reaching the semifinal and topping Stan Wawrinka alongside the best way. He didn’t have an opportunity to construct off that consequence as tennis shut down. Dimitrov discovered himself within the information in the course of the break within the worst method, a part of the controversial Adria Tour. He was even accused of being the one that introduced the virus to the opposite gamers.
Dimitrov was in a position to regroup, and end the 12 months sturdy simply as he had in 2019. Two extra second spherical losses in Cincinnati and the US Open appeared unhealthy portents, however his fortune utterly modified when the tour moved again to Europe. He reached the quarterfinals on the Rome Masters and the spherical of 16 on the French Open. He completed sturdy on the indoor onerous courts with a semifinal look in Antwerp and a quarterfinal in Vienna, together with a win over Stefanos Tsitsipas, his sole victory over a Prime 15 participant in 2020. Dimitrov has plenty of good outcomes to construct in within the latter half of the 12 months, however he might want to compete with the sport’s high gamers extra persistently if he desires to get again to the Prime 10.
20. Karen Khachanov
Win/loss report (tour-level matches): 20-15
2019 rank: #17 (-3)
Khachanov had a mean 12 months for a participant of his expertise, with a 20-15 report whereas failing to achieve a person semifinal or last. The Russian started the 12 months ranked #17 and completed at #20, aided by the frozen rankings. Whereas missing in deep runs, Khachanov was constant, profitable not less than two matches at each Grand Slam. The season’s highlights included taking part in a big position in Russia’s semifinal look on the ATP Cup, reaching the fourth spherical at Roland Garros, and topping Pablo Carreno Busta in “Cincinnati” every week earlier than the Spaniard would attain the US Open semifinal. Khachanov will look to overlook most of 2020 and get again to his type in 2018-19. At age 24 he’s poised to show he belongs within the Prime 20.
Most important Photograph from Getty.
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