AP

Novak Djokovic has reached the world No 2 spot for the third time in his career after beating Rafael Nadal in the Indian Wells final.

Paris – Novak Djokovic has overtaken Roger Federer as the world No 2 in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday.

Djokovic beat world No 1 Rafael Nadal to lift the Indian Wells title on Sunday to continue his perfect start to the season with 18 straight victories, no defeat and three tournament victories including the Australian Open and Dubai Open.

Djokovic beat Federer for the third time this year in Saturday's semifinal.

The Serb has been No 2 three times in 2010 as Swiss Federer falls to third for the third time in his career since first taking the world No 1 spot in 2004.

The biggest mover was former world No 4 Juan Martin Del Potro who moves up 39 spots to 51 after reaching the Indian Wells semifinals. The Argentine fell to 485th at the start of the season after undergoing wrist surgery in 2010.

1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 12630 pts

2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8710 (+1)

3. Roger Federer (SUI) 8280 (-1)

4. Robin Soderling (SWE) 5735

5. Andy Murray (SCO) 5545

6. David Ferrer (ESP) 4510

7. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 4320

8. Andy Roddick (USA) 3260

9. Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 3095

10. Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 2695

11. Gael Monfils (FRA) 2600

12. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 2485

13. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 2355 (+1)

14. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 2340 (-1)

15. Mardy Fish (USA) 2106

16. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 1850 (+1)

17. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 1710 (+1)

18. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 1665 (+3)

19. David Nalbandian (ARG) 1630

20. Marin Cilic (CRO) 1575 – Sapa-AFP