Henman above Rusedski

Tennis

Tim Henman has overtaken Greg Rusedski in the world rankings. Henman has moved up six places to 54th, his highest ever ranking and equal to the best ever attained by the former British No 1, Jeremy Bates.

Henman has improved 222 places in 10 months after reaching the semi- finals of four ATP Tour events in Shanghai, Rotterdam, Copenhagen and Seoul.

Rusedski, who was ranked 33rd earlier this year, has gone down nine places to 58th after losing in the last eight in Seoul.

The Lawn Tennis Association has brought its rankings into line with the world table. Under the previous system, Rusedski, who changed his allegiance from Canada in May, could not be ranked by the LTA until he had been available to represent Britain for 12 months. But on the day the new system came into effect, Rusedski saw his chance of becoming British No 1 taken away by Henman.