In the world of tennis, all eyes are on the rising star Carlos Alcaraz as he looks to potentially overtake the legendary Novak Djokovic in the ATP rankings before the US Open. The recent gold medal final at the Paris Olympics men’s singles event showcased Djokovic’s incredible skill and determination, solidifying his place in tennis history with a Career Golden Slam. However, it was his match against Alcaraz that truly highlighted the strength and talent of the Serbian champion.
The intense and captivating battle between Djokovic and Alcaraz at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati last year was a match for the ages, lasting a grueling 3 hours and 49 minutes. Despite Alcaraz’s valiant effort, Djokovic emerged victorious with a score of 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4), even saving a match point in the tie-break of the second set. The tournament officials are certain that such a final will not be repeated this year, as Djokovic has opted to skip the event in order to rest and recover from his triumphant Olympic campaign.
With Djokovic’s absence in Cincinnati, Alcaraz sees an opportunity to seek revenge and potentially surpass the Serbian champion in the ATP rankings. By capitalizing on Djokovic’s loss of 1000 points, Alcaraz could climb to the number 2 seed position for the upcoming US Open, a feat that would solidify his status as one of the top contenders in the Grand Slam event. To achieve this goal, Alcaraz must reach the quarterfinals at the Cincinnati Open, a task that is certainly not beyond his capabilities.
If Alcaraz manages to reach the quarterfinals at the Western & Southern Open, he would ensure that he does not face off against Jannik Sinner before the US Open final. In previous Grand Slam events, both Sinner and Alcaraz found themselves in the same half of the draw, leading to intense matchups and fierce competition. With the possibility of a new ranking and seeding order on the horizon, Alcaraz is poised to make his mark on the tennis world and continue his meteoric rise to the top of the sport.
