Sinner amplifies distance from Alcaraz in the ATP Race with Cincinnati Open crown

Tuesday, 20 August 2024 at 19:30

Jannik Sinner extends his lead in the ATP Race to Turin after clinching the Cincinnati Open title. The Italian secured his 5th title of the year and capitalized on Carlos Alcaraz's early exit to comfortably maintain his top position in the Race.

The world No. 1 has already mathematically qualified for the Finals after reaching the quarterfinals in Montreal just a week ago. Sinner has now opened up a lead of over 1,400 points over Alcaraz, giving him a stronger chance to finish the US Open as the leader of the Race.

Sinner's consistency pays off

The Live Race reflects the points each player has earned throughout the calendar year, unlike the official Ranking, which considers the last 52 weeks of competition. The Race not only determines the 8 qualifiers for the Finals but also the ranking each player will hold at the end of the year.

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In 2024, Sinner has undoubtedly been the most consistent, with a 48-5 record and five titles to his name, including his first Grand Slam at the US Open and two Masters 1000 titles at the Miami Open and, just a day ago, in Cincinnati. He comfortably holds the top spot with 7,400 points.

His main challenger is Alcaraz with 5,960 points. The Spaniard enjoyed two dream months after winning the French Open and Wimbledon, though these two titles make up the bulk of his points for the year, each contributing 2,000 points, along with the Indian Wells title adding another 1,000 points. However, the first part of the year was bittersweet for Alcaraz, with injuries causing him to miss some tournaments and suffer a couple of early defeats.

The third-ranked player is Alexander Zverev, who closed the gap with Alcaraz after reaching the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open. The title at the Rome Open and then reaching the final at Roland Garros allowed the German to rapidly climb the rankings, and he now sits with 5,725 points, just 245 behind Alcaraz.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at 2024 Indian Wells.

Top 8 in sight: Medvedev leads chasing pack in ATP Race

The top three have a significant lead over their pursuers, and it seems only a matter of time before Alcaraz and Zverev secure their spots in the Finals. However, further down, the battle remains fierce, and the US Open will be crucial for the ambitions of the top players.

In fourth place, with a relatively comfortable margin, is Daniil Medvedev (4,020), the only player in the top 10 without a title this year, but he has been consistent in reaching several finals, including Indian Wells and the Australian Open. A bit further behind is Casper Ruud (3,595), with his best performances coming from winning the Barcelona Open and reaching the final at the Monte-Carlo Masters.

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Rounding out the top 8 (and potential qualifiers for the Finals) are Andrey Rublev (3,280), Novak Djokovic (3,160), and Alex De Minaur (2,905). The Russian has experienced some rough patches in 2024, but the title at the Madrid Open gave him a boost that keeps him in the top tier. Similarly, Nole had a slow start to the season, but reaching the Wimbledon final allowed him to climb back into the leading positions. As for De Minaur, his consistency has paid off, making this the best season of his career so far.

Tsitsipas and Fritz lead the charge for ATP Finals qualification

With just one Grand Slam and two Masters 1000 events remaining, there are still a few last opportunities for the players further back to secure a spot in Turin, especially considering that several players with previous Finals appearances are still in the running for a berth.

The main contenders include Stefanos Tsitsipas (2,725), Taylor Fritz (2,590), Hubert Hurkacz (2,540), Tommy Paul (2,535), and Grigor Dimitrov (2,435). A strong run by any of them at Flushing Meadows could shake up the current top 8.

PIF ATP Live Race To Turin

	PLAYER	AGE	COUNTRY	POINTS
1	✓ Jannik Sinner	23	ITA	7,400
	ATP Finals Qualification Cut			6,230
2	Carlos Alcaraz	21	ESP	5,960
3	Alexander Zverev	27	GER	5,715
4	Daniil Medvedev	28	RUS	4,020
5	Casper Ruud	25	NOR	3,595
6	Andrey Rublev	26	RUS	3,280
7	Novak Djoković	37	SRB	3,160
8	Alex de Minaur	25	AUS	2,905
9	Stefanos Tsitsipas	26	GRE	2,725
10	Taylor Fritz	26	USA	2,590
11	Hubert Hurkacz	27	POL	2,540
12	Tommy Paul	27	USA	2,535
13	Grigor Dimitrov	33	BUL	2,435
14	Holger Rune	21	DEN	2,175
15	Lorenzo Musetti	22	ITA	2,125
16	Sebastian Korda	24	USA	1,960
17	Alejandro Tabilo	27	CHI	1,848
18	Ben Shelton	21	USA	1,700
19	Frances Tiafoe	26	USA	1,660
20	Ugo Humbert	26	FRA	1,645

Jannik Sinner

@janniksin

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Thank you Cincinnati. The crowd and support have been amazing ❤️ @FTiafoe congrats on a great week! I always enjoy our battles 😂

7:46 AM · Aug 20, 2024

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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