EXCLUSIVE! After his semi-finals performance at Monte Carlo in-form Russian Nikolay Davydenko overtakes Nicolas Almagro at third in Eurosport's latest ATP claycourt rankings.

The world number four backed up his runner-up showing in Estoril with a fine set of results in the first claycourt Masters event of the season.

Spain's Almagro slips down the ladder for the first time this year, but already has eight secure points in 2008 thanks to his two titles in South America and runner-up showing in Valencia.

With Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer firmly entrenched in the top two positions, the battle of the season now becomes for that number three place.

World number three Novak Djokovic keeps his deficit from Davydenko at three points, making up for the decision not to defend his Estoril title by earning semi-final points at Monte Carlo to move back up three places to sixth in the rankings.

There was one major winner in the bottom half of the top-20, meanwhile, as French Open quarter-finalist Igor Andreev rocketed up seven places to 15th thanks to a quarter-final appearance in Monte Carlo.

At stake this week are minor titles in Barcelona (points for Rafa and whoever finishes runner-up) and Munich (points to be determined).

2008 Claycourt Rankings - ATP world ranking in brackets

1. [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) 37 points - Even

2. [1] Roger Federer (SUI) 21 - Even

3. [4] Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 12 - Up one

4. [22] Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 11 - Down one

5. [14] Carlos Moya (ESP) 10 - Even

6. [3] Novak Djokovic (SRB) 9 - Up three

7. [5] David Ferrer (ESP) 9 - Down one

8. [7] David Nalbandian (ARG) 9 - Down one

9. [16] Juan Monaco (ARG) 8 - Down one

10. [15] Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 7 - Even

11. [17] Tommy Robredo (ESP) 7 - Even

12. [18] Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) 6 - Even

13. [31] Guillermo Canas (ARG) 5 - Even

14. [41] Jose Acasuso (ARG) 5 - Up one

15. [25] Igor Andreev (RUS) 4 - Up seven

16. [33] Gilles Simon (FRA) 4 - Up two

17. [42] Filippo Volandri (ITA) 4 - Up two

18. [11] Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 3 - Up two

19. [23] Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 3 - Down five

20. [26] Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 3 - Down three

Formula:

10 winner; 6 runner-up; 4 semi-finalist; 2 quarter-finalist: 2007 French Open

5 winner; 3 runner-up; 2 semi-finalist; 1 quarter-finalist: Monte Carlo Masters, Rome Masters, Hamburg Masters, 2006 French Open

3 winner; 2 runner-up; 1 semi-finalist: Vina del Mar, Costa Do Suaipe, Buenos Aires, Acapulco, Estoril, Valencia, Houston, Barcelona, Munich, Poertschach, Casablanca, Sopot, Stuttgart, Gstaad, Bastad, Kitzbuhel, Amersfoort, Umag, Bucharest, 2005 French Open

1 bonus point for any semi-final or better at French Open 2001-2004

Jeremy Stahl / Eurosport