Nadal tops year-end rankings after Chung victory

Victory over Chung Hyeon at the Paris Masters earned Rafael Nadal the year-end number-one ranking.

Rafael Nadal replaced Andy Murray at the top in August and has won six titles this year, including two Grand Slams and two Masters 1000 events.

Rafael Nadal became the oldest year-end world number one since rankings began by beating Chung Hyeon 7-5 6-3 in the second round of the Paris Masters.

The withdrawal of Roger Federer from the tournament meant victory for Nadal in this match was enough for the Spaniard to end the season at the top of the rankings for the fourth time in his career.

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Defeat would not have spelt the end of the 31-year-old's chances of achieving the feat, and he was put through his paces early on by his South Korean opponent.

It was Chung, 21, who broke first, going 2-1 up in the opening set before conceding four successive games to the 16-time Grand Slam champion.

Chung hit back with a stunning break to love to get back on terms with Nadal, who then survived a break point at 5-5 as the set appeared destined for a tie-break.

However, Nadal gathered his thoughts at the change of ends and made light work of the 12th game — wrapping up the set with a win to love on Chung's serve.

 

Nadal replaced Andy Murray at the top in August and has won six titles this year, including two Grand Slams and two Masters 1000 events.

The reigning French and US Open champion previously topped the rankings at the end of 2008, 2010 and 2013 and is the seventh player to do so on four or more occasions.