Jannik Sinner’s throne stays protected: Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev falter in chase

Jannik Sinner is spending his thirty eighth week on the ATP throne. Jannik will avoid the official tournaments by Could following his settlement with the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA). That opens the door for Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev to chip away at Sinner’s lead within the rankings.

The Italian will miss the primary 4 Masters 1000 occasions of the season attributable to his suspension. Nonetheless, issues is not going to be straightforward for the Spaniard and the German of their quest, particularly after lacking their probabilities final week. 

Carlos and Alexander entered the ATP 500 tournaments in Doha and Rio as the highest seeds. Nonetheless, they failed to achieve the semi-final and earn helpful factors and shut large gaps to the Italian. Jannik will drop 1600 factors throughout his absence. 

LEHECKA TAKES OUT ALCARAZ! 🤩

Jiri Lehecka defeats World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 3-6 6-4 to achieve the semi-finals in Doha#QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/R1dvymf9Q0

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 20, 2025

He’ll return to motion in Rome with 9730 ATP factors on his tally. Alcaraz defends 1400 factors in Indian Wells, Miami and Madrid. He’s 3600 factors behind Sinner, which suggests he wants deep runs in any respect 4 Masters 1000 occasions and the ATP 500 occasion in Barcelona to problem him. 

Zverev collected 850 factors between Indian Wells and Madrid final yr. He’s in a greater place to dethrone Sinner after at the moment trailing 3000 factors. Alexander chases the ATP 500 crown in Acapulco this week. If he claims it, the German will put himself in a pleasant place to change into world no. 1 for the primary time. 

Alcaraz had an enormous likelihood to achieve the semi-final in Doha and earn extra ATP factors. He led 4-2 within the decider in opposition to Jiri Lehecka within the quarter-final and had a break likelihood within the seventh sport. The Czech saved it and turned the tables. 

Lehecka rattled off 4 straight video games and scored a career-best 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory. Zverev was the highest seed in Rio. He defeated two rivals earlier than falling to world no. 86 Francisco Comesana 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and skilled an enormous setback. 

The Argentine trailed 4-1 within the closing set earlier than rattling off 5 video games and shifting excessive in two and a half hours for his first top-10 victory.