By Nick Georgandis
It took Roger Federer four tough sets to tie Pete Sampras for one legendary record on Sunday afternoon at Wimbledon.
When the clock struck midnight for Monday, he tied another Sampras mark that many thought he would never achieve –- carrying the No. 1 ranking for a 286th week.
Federer climbed to the top of the rankings chart for the first time since June of 2010 with the Wimbledon title on Sunday.
He has 11,075 points to Novak Djokovic’s 11,000. Rafael Nadal tumbled to third in the world at 8,905 points, not less than 1,500 ahead of No. 4 Andy Murray.
Federer’s ascension ended 53 straight weeks for Djokovic at No. 1. Djokovic had been tied with John McEnroe for the 11th longest streak of consecutive weeks at No. 1.
At this time next week, Federer will concurrently hold the records for most weeks at No. 1 and most consecutive weeks at No. 1 (237) -– the first time one man has held both marks since Jimmy Connors (268 total weeks, 160 consecutive).
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Victoria Azarenka didn’t win Wimbledon, but she got her No. 1 ranking back, thanks to Sabine Lisicki.
Lisicki upset Maria Sharapova in the fourth round at Wimbledon last week, dropping Sharapova from first to third in the latest WTA rankings.
Finalist Agnieszka Radwanska moved up from third to second, and champion Serena Williams from sixth to fourth in a topsy-turvy week in the Top 10 that saw nine of 10 players move positions.
More over, the No. 1 slot in the world will be anyone’s ballgame heading into the US Open Series. Azarenka has 8,800 points, Radwanska, 8,530; Sharapova, 8,370; and Williams 7,360.
Petra Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon champ, dropped from sixth to fourth while semifinalist Angelique Kerber moved up to seventh, supplanting Caroline Wozniacki.
Sara Errani took over ninth from Marion Bartoli. The only Top 10 member not to move was No. 5 Samantha Stosur, who now gears up for the defense of her 2011 US Open crown.
After a long stretch off due to injury, Kim Clijsters climbed 12 spots to No. 35 following her fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon. If she goes through with her plan to retire, Clijsters has just one major left -- the US Open.
Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova, who upset Errani on her way to the fourth round, climbed 19 spots to No. 46.
Venus Williams, victim of a first-round upset, fell 10 spots to No. 68.