Interesting turn of events as Daniil Medvedev could yet end 2023 as World No.2 due to ATP Finals exploits

On Friday afternoon, Daniil Medvedev will face Carlos Alcaraz looking to continue a perfect stint at the 2023 ATP Finals, but also perhaps at the back of his mind, a potential return to World No.2.

Medvedev set his spot in the semi-finals in Turin after defeating Andrey Rublev and Alexander Zverev in the group stage. He did not drop a single set in the two matches and eased into the Last Four before today's play begins.

He saw off close friend Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-2 to begin the group and then saw off Zverev 7-6(7), 6-4 and now heads into the match with Alcaraz with the Spaniard needing to book his spot himself and also to keep his World No.2 ranking.

If Medvedev wins against Alcaraz, it is a simple equation. Not only will he be unbeaten going into the latter stages, but also he will become World No.2 for the second time in his career.

This would in turn be a hammer blow for Alcaraz who has ended the season poorly. He at one point looked potentially to return to the World No.1 spot, but instead could be falling to World No.3 in next week's final ATP Ranking Update.