Edmund part of British trio in world's top 50

The 26-year-old is enjoying the best spell of his career and built on his first tour final in Sydney with a best grand slam performance at Melbourne Park, where he beat Marin Cilic on his way to the last 16.

That sees him move up six places to 45, a career-high, two spots ahead of Yorkshire’s Kyle Edmund.

With Andy Murray retaining his No 1 ranking despite a shock early exit, it is the first time in 11 years that there have been three British men in the top 50 when Murray, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski were all present.

Roger Federer, who claimed his 18th grand slam success at the age of 35, climbed seven places to 10 after his first tournament since Wimbledon last year.

In the women’s rankings, British No 1 Johanna Konta drops a place to 10 despite her run to the quarter-final as she dropped 350 points from her semi-final appearance in 2016.

Serena Williams reclaims the No 1 spot from Angelique Kerber following her 23rd grand slam title in Australia.

Federer is targeting Wimbledon for major triumph No 19 after he ousted old rival Rafael Nadal in five thrilling sets in Melbourne.

Following six months out with injury Federer said: “This came as a huge, huge surprise. I guess maybe like 2003 Wimbledon (his first grand slam title), it’s totally different, but it was a big, big surprise.”

The French Open is likely to prove out of reach given he has never enjoyed playing on clay so his best chance of sealing his next grand slam success is on Centre Court. “Yeah, Wimbledon over Roland Garros, yes,” said Federer.