Spanish and Italian will battle to reach Turin as the world number 2, something that would guarantee them not to face Sinner in the group stage.
The last Masters 1000 of the season will determine not only who qualifies for the ATP Finals 2024, but also the order of the qualified players. This is crucial in a year where Jannik Sinner has been so dominant. Let’s review what both Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev need to do at the ATP Rolex Paris Masters 2024 to secure the second position and avoid the Italian in the round robin.
With the calculator in hand, all players involved in the quest for a spot in the ATP Finals 2024 are aware of what’s at stake. However, at this ATP Rolex Paris Masters 2024, there are other elements to determine regarding the event in Turin. The most significant of all is who will arrive as the world number 2. Not only is it a symbolic milestone that boosts confidence, but it also means avoiding facing Jannik Sinner in the group stage, potentially meeting him only in the semifinals or final if both players advance.
– Alcaraz currently leads Zverev by 395 points in the ATP Race
In a season where the Italian has been in such magnificent form, it’s crucial not to overlook the chance of entering Turin without the risk of being in the same group as a nearly unbeatable player. Carlos Alcaraz has the best odds of claiming the top-2 spot by the end of this regular season. However, he must stay focused as an unexpected stumble in Paris, like the one experienced last year against Safiullin, could see him surpassed by Alexander Zverev.
One advantage in such situations is that Alcaraz controls his destiny. The Spaniard will be number 2 if he wins the Accor Arena, and even if he reaches the final because, in the scenario of losing to Zverev in the decider, the German would cut his lead by 350 points, with a current gap of 395 points between them.
– Zverev needs to reach the final or win the tournament if Alcaraz wins any match
The only ways for the German to perform a turnaround are winning the title while Alcaraz loses in the semifinals or earlier, or finishing as a runner-up while Alcaraz is eliminated in the quarterfinals or earlier. It could be a peculiar situation if the Murcian player is ousted in the second round, granting Zverev the opportunity to surpass him simply by reaching the semifinals. In essence, Alexander Zverev requires an exceptional performance on his part and also hopes that Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t progress to the latter stages.
