By Tony Fairbairn

The race for the year-end world number one ranking heats up as Alexander Zverev prepares to defend the title.
Top Seeds: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz
British Interest: Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley [Q]

PARIS, FRANCE – Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner continue their battle for the year-end world number one ranking as Alexander Zverev prepares to defend the title.

 

 

Best Result: Quarter-Final (2022)

After another great season, the Spaniard is looking to seal the year-end world number one ranking over the next few weeks.

Alcaraz’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
R2: Cameron Norrie | H2H: Alcaraz leads 5-2
R3: Jiri Lehecka [14] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 3-1
QF: Casper Ruud [8] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 5-1
SF: Taylor Fritz [4] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 4-1
F: Jannik Sinner [2] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 10-5

An interesting first round awaits for Alcaraz against Cameron Norrie in a repeat of the Wimbledon quarter-finals. A testing draw could await in the third round with either Jiri Lehecka or Shanghai champion Valentin Vacherot looking to test Alcaraz’s skillset. In the quarter-finals, Alcaraz could face either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Casper Ruud with both players chasing a spot in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. It should be a testing tournament for Alcaraz who will want to be as fresh as possible for another blockbuster final against his greatest rival.

 

Best Result: Third Round (2023)  

Sinner will aim to chase Alcaraz’s world number one charge down as the Italian enters Paris having won the Vienna title.

Sinner’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
R2: Alex Michelsen | H2H: Sinner leads 2-0
R3: Francisco Cerundolo [17] | H2H: Sinner leads 3-2
QF: Ben Shelton [5] | H2H: Sinner leads 6-1
SF: Alexander Zverev [3] | H2H: Tied at 4-4
F: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 10-5

A challenging start for Sinner as Zizou Bergs or Alex Michelsen are capable of producing some incredible tennis indoors. In the third round, Sinner is likely to face Francisco Cerundolo instead of the injured Jakub Mensik while Ben Shelton or Andrey Rublev could await in the quarter-finals. Given the Italian’s recent form on indoor hard courts, then Sinner is favourite to win the title this week as he aims to continue the red-hot momentum heading into the Nitto ATP Finals and will look to dethrone Alcaraz at the top of the world rankings.

 

 

Best Result: Champion (2020, 2024)

Zverev is ending the year with some momentum after reaching the final in Vienna to book his spot at the Nitto ATP Finals and now the German looks to defend his title in the French capital.

Zverev’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
R2: Camilo Ugo Carabelli | H2H: Zverev leads 1-0
R3: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina [15] | H2H: Zverev leads 5-1
QF: Lorenzo Musetti [7] | H2H: Musetti leads 3-2
SF: Jannik Sinner [2] | H2H: Tied at 4-4
F: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Tied at 6-6

Although Camilo Ugo Carabelli is the projected first opponent for Zverev, it wouldn’t be surprising if Tomas Martin Etcheverry was the third seed’s first rival of the week. In the third round either Basel finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Ugo Humbert will await in what could be a very tough match for Zverev. A rejuvenated Daniil Medvedev, former finalist Grigor Dimitrov or Lorenzo Musetti are the likely quarter-final opponents before the Sinner-Alcaraz doubleheader. The defending champion will be full of confidence and will believe he can test anyone in the draw but given how stacked his quarter is, it is hard to see Zverev repeating the feat from last year.

 

Best Result: Quarter-Final (2021)     

Fritz will be looking to book his place in Turin this week after an inconsistent end to the season for the American.

Fritz’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE| H2H: N/A
R2: Terence Atmane [WC] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
R3: Alexander Bublik [13] | H2H: Tied at 3-3
QF: Alex De Minaur [6] | H2H: Tied at 5-5
SF: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 4-1
F: Jannik Sinner [2] | H2H: Sinner leads 4-1

A tricky draw for Fritz starts with in-form Frenchman Terence Atmane or Aleksandar Vukic. In the third round, Alexander Bublik most likely awaits while one of Karen Khachanov, Alex De Minaur or Basel champion Joao Fonseca will be waiting in the quarter-finals. If Fritz produces the form of the last two weeks then it is hard to see him get past the last eight but if he can perform to his highest level then he will be waiting to challenge Alcaraz in the semi-finals.

ATP Paris-Bercy starts on the 27th of October and concludes on the second of November.

 

 

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