Sinner and Alcaraz to Battle for World No. 1 Spot at the US Open
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, Act IV. Tomorrow, the Italian and the Spaniard will open a new chapter in their spectacular rivalry as they face off for the fourth time this year in a tournament final.
Rome and Roland-Garros smiled upon Alcaraz, while Sinner dominated his ATP ranking rival at Wimbledon. For their first hard-court showdown of the season, the suspense is undoubtedly guaranteed.
While the outcome will matter just six days before the start of the US Open, it will primarily impact the race for the world No. 1 spot.
If Sinner succeeds and claims a second consecutive title in Ohio, he will hold 11,830 points. Alcaraz, meanwhile, will sit at 9,240 points. Should the current world No. 2 prevail, he will have 9,540 points, while Sinner will drop to 11,430.
But the real difference will be made in New York at the US Open, where Alcaraz will only have 50 points to defend (and 1,950 to gain), compared to Sinner's 2,000. Thus, the Spaniard could snatch the world No. 1 ranking from the Italian—even if they meet in the final—should he lift the trophy.
But to dream of the throne and maximize his chances, he must first triumph tomorrow in Cincinnati.
A title in Ohio would also allow him to briefly hold the live No. 1 ranking during the US Open, adding even more pressure on his rival.
Cincinnati 
