Anderson on the rise as Nadal faces battle to stay top

Paris - South Africa's Kevin Anderson climbed two places to sixth in Monday's ATP Tour rankings after sealing a berth at the Tour Finals following his title in Vienna at the weekend.

The 32-year-old Anderson became the first South African singles player in over two decades to qualify for the end-of-season event with his victory over Kei Nishikori in Sunday's final.

Rafael Nadal's position at the top will come under threat at this week's Paris Masters from Novak Djokovic, who arrives on an 18-match winning run after triumphs in Cincinnati, the US Open and Shanghai.

The Spaniard is returning to action for the first time since hobbling out of the semi-finals in New York and must match Djokovic's result in France to remain as world number one. 

Roger Federer is still third after his 99th career title at Basel, while runner-up Marius Copil of Romania soared to a career-high 60th after shooting up 33 places.

Top 20 in the latest ATP Tour rankings:

1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7 660

2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 7 445

3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6 260

4. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5 460

5. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5 115

6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4 230

7. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4 050

8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3 825

9. John Isner (USA) 3 425

10. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 3 335

11. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 3 210

12. David Goffin (BEL) 2 675

13. Borna Coric (CRO) 2 460

14. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2 315

15. Kyle Edmund (GBR) 2 195

16. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 2 175

17. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 1 977

18. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 1 845

19. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 1 835

20. Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 1 829