By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday May 23, 2023
Daniil Medvedev’s return to No.2 in the ATP rankings will have significant implications on Thursday’s men’s singles draw at Roland-Garros.
The Russian, who rose to his first clay-court title on Sunday in Rome, leapfrogs Novak Djokovic in this week’s rankings. That means he can potentially avoid facing Alcaraz or Djokovic prior to the final, if Djokovic is drawn into the Spaniard’s half.
It may not play out that way, but Medvedev has given himself a larger chance at an easier draw by rising to No.2, and the opposite for Djokovic.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz’s return to No.1 means that the Spaniard will be the top seed at Roland-Garros for the first time. The 20-year-old begins his 23rd week at No.1, as Djokovic drops to No.3, having logged a total of 387 weeks at No.1.
The 22-time major champion dropped 820 points when he failed to defend his title in Rome. He was defeated in the quarterfinals by rising Dane Holger Rune.
Rune, who dropped a 7-5, 7-5 decision to Medvedev in Sunday’s final at the Foro Italico, rises to a career-high ranking of No.6.
Medvedev Running Ahead in the Race
27-year-old Medvedev has claimed five titles this season, and he extends his lead in the Race to Turin to 845 points over Alcaraz.
Here are the Top 10 in the ATP’s Race:
Medvedev, 4300
Alcaraz, 3455
Djokovic, 2745
Tsitsipas, 2590
Sinner, 2275
Rublev, 2215
Rune, 2125
Fritz, 1825
Khachanov, 1540
Norrie, 1445
Hanfmann Career High – Biggest Riser
Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann becomes the biggest riser in this week’s rankings, thanks to a quarterfinal run at Rome. The 21-year-old jumps 37 spots to No.64.
Australia’s Aleksandr Vukic rises 32 spots to No.95 after winning the Oeiras challenger title.
Max Purcell (+20 to 67), Tomas Martin Etcheverry (+15 to 46), Ugo Humbert (+12 to No.38), Nuno Borges (+12 to No.76) and Marton Fucsovics (+12 to No.80), also made big jumps this week.
Additionally Christopher Eubanks (+11) rises to a career-high No.75 and France’s Luca Van Assche hits a career-high of 79 (+6).
Van Assche is currently the only teenager inside the ATP’s Top 100. He turned 19 on May 11.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Blog RSS…