TENNIS in DEPTH.

Andy Murray’s impressive run to the final of the Australian Open has been rewarded with a rise up the ATP world rankings.

The 22-year-old has climbed to number three in the world in the latest list published on Monday despite his straight-sets defeat to Roger Federer in Melbourne.

Federer leads the way for the 268th week in his career.

Murray returns to the top three for the first time since October at the expense of Rafael Nadal, who retired hurt while trailing in the quarter-finals against the Scot and has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a knee injury.

The Spaniard’s slide down the order to fourth place marks the first time he has been ranked outside the top three since before claiming his maiden French Open title in 2005.

Novak Djokovic, who crashed out against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last eight at Melbourne Park, is up to number two in the world, although Murray, on 7,800 points, is just 510 points adrift of the Serbian.

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