Lob and Smash
Fansided

Diego Schwartzman is reaching new career heights on the ATP World Tour

By Harry Floyd

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 25: Diego Schwartzman of Argentina celebrates with the trophy after defeating Fernando Verdasco of Spain at the singles final of the ATP Rio Open 2018 at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 25, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 25: Diego Schwartzman of Argentina celebrates with the trophy after defeating Fernando Verdasco of Spain at the singles final of the ATP Rio Open 2018 at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 25, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Diego Schwartzman jumps five places in the singles rankings, breaking into the ATP Top 20. He is now the world No. 18 in men’s singles.

Diego Schwartzman is the 2018 Rio Open men’s singles champion. His title win is just his second of his career. The win catapults the Argentine tennis player into the world No. 18 ranking in men’s singles tennis.

Defeating Spanish tennis veterean Fernando Verdasco in the Rio finals, Schwartzman tastes new career highs. The 25-year-old Schwartzman could continue to rise in the rankings in the coming months. Having seen success previously on clay courts, he could take advantage of the upcoming tournaments on the 2018 ATP World Tour.

The rankings jump for the young Argentine is one of the large ones within the ATP Top 25. Others, such as American Fances Tiafoe, made larger jumps over the past week, but not near Schwartzman’s ranking. Ahead of the Rio Open champion are some of the best in men’s singles tennis. He must be at his best if he hopes to continue rising in the coming weeks.

Related Story: WTA Singles Update

Atop the rankings remain Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

In between Schwartzman and the sport’s top two players is a solid mix of players. Several rising stars are making headlines on the ATP World Tour right now. Men’s and women’s singles tennis appears to be ushering in a new generation of players. Like Schwartzman, several young stars could challenge the veteran greats throughout the rest of the 2018 tour. Just behind the Argentine is now American tennis star John Isner. The American is off to a slow start so far this year but he could gear up for a stronger second half of the year.

Next: Nadal's return to ATP action

Look for Diego Schwartzman to be someone to watch throughout the rest of the 2018 ATP World Tour. He will need to continue his newfound momentum in the coming weeks and months if he hopes to reach even higher in the rankings. Any improvements would spell new career highs for the young tennis player. With the field in men’s singles so tight right now though, Schwartzman or others could easily make strong moves. The set of players ahead of him are all within a few hundred points of one another. Check back for updates on all of the ATP singles action as we head into March.

Home/ATP