Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will meet in a blockbuster semifinal at the Indian Wells Open, which many feel (without disrespecting the other two semifinalists) is the de facto final.
Alcaraz and Sinner will battle in a high-stakes clash. At this stage of the tournament, players can start to see the finish line. The 20-year-old Spanish sensation is seeking to reach his second successive final at the desert after winning the title last year.
Sinner, a powerful 22-year-old from Italy, is aiming to advance into his third final of the year. He has already bagged two titles this season, including his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open. This is officially his career-best start to a season, having gone 16-0 in his first three tournaments.
His win streak ranks fourth in the all-time list of best starts to a season by ATP players (from 1990). A win on Saturday over rival Alcaraz would tie him in third place alongside Pete Sampras (1997) and Roger Federer (2018).
But Alcaraz and Sinner are acutely aware that they are after more than a final spot. The ATP rankings could see a significant change in the Top 3.
Sinner recently displaced Daniil Medvedev to become World No. 3—the highest distinction by an Italian player, male or female, in the rankings.
Alcaraz faces an almighty fight to remain World No. 2. A defeat in Saturday's much-anticipated semifinal will mean that he will drop down to third spot.
At the same time, Sinner will attain a career-best ranking and will remain hot on the heels of Novak Djokovic's No. 1 spot for the next few months.
Sinner currently leads the ATP race (which only accounts for points earned in 2024) and will increase his lead further at the end of the tournament should he win his second Masters. He'll also establish a 5-3 lead in the series over Alcaraz, a major psychological advantage in this intriguing rivalry.
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