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Maiden victory sends Gulbis into top 50

Ernests Gulbis continues to rewrite the Latvian tenis history books © Getty Images

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It was a breakthrough week for Latvia's Ernests Gulbis, who won his first tour title at Delray Beach to move into the top 50 for the first time.

Playing in his first ATP final, Gulbis became the first Latvian to win a title, beating Ivo Karlovic 6-2 6-3 in blustery conditions. The result sees him catapulted into the top 50, moving up 27 places to 45.

"Everything I do now is first time for my country," said Gulbis. "I hope it's positive. I hope much more players will start to practise in Latvia. It's good for tennis in Latvia. They see that a guy from Latvia also can make it and win an ATP World Tour event."

Karlovic believes the 21-year-old will continue to move up the rankings. "He was very cool, calm," he said. "Nothing could impress him. This year is going to be his breakthrough."

Fernando Gonzalez was the only mover in the top ten in Monday's rankings, moving back into the top ten at the expense of Fernando Verdasco. Mikhail Youzhny moved up two placed to 12 after his Dubai final defeat to Novak Djokovic, and after his third final in as many weeks, Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero moved up two places to 13.

In the women's rankings, there was no movement in the top ten, but Malaysian Open champion Alisa Kleybanova moved up three places to 26 after her maiden tour victory, while her semi-final opponent Ayumi Morita moved back into the top 100.

Britain's Elena Baltacha continues to rise up the rankings to 64, while Katie O'Brien narrowly avoided dropping out of the top 100.

ATP Rankings: 1. Roger Federer (SWI), 2. Novak Djokovic (SRB), 3. Rafael Nadal (ESP), 4. Andy Murray (GBR), 5. Juan Martin del Potro (ARG), 6. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS), 7. Robin Soderling (SWE), 8. Andy Roddick (USA), 9. Marin Cilic (CRO), 10. Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)

WTA Rankings: 1. Serea Williams (USA), 2. Dinara Safina (RUS), 3. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS), 4. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), 5. Venus Williams (USA), 6. Victoria Azarenka (BEL), 7. Elena Dementieva (RUS), 8. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL), 9. Jelena Jankovic (SRB), 10. Na Li (CHN)

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