US Open – Nadal, Alcaraz, Ruud: three males for a spot

The US Open could be the final Grand Slam of the season, however in the long run it isn’t that usually its final justice of the peace, contemplating that it has now not topped a brand new world primary. since 2003. On the time, Juan Carlos Ferrero, regardless of his defeat within the closing towards Andy Roddick, had been this fortunate winner and it’s attention-grabbing to notice that “El Mosquito” continues to be round in 2022 for this nice honest of the throne. However this time by proxy, as coach of Carlos Alcaraz, one of many three candidates nonetheless within the operating to entry the Grail, together with his compatriot Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud.

Three are nonetheless standing. And the very best positioned, greater than ever, stays Rafael Nadal, absent final yr in New York and due to this fact devoid of any level to defend. Largely the Race chief – due to his titles on the Australian Open and Roland-Garros – in a season during which he nonetheless missed quite a lot of appointments as a result of accidents, the Spaniard is now solely three victories from being assured of (re) turning into world primary for the ninth time in his profession, the primary since November 4, 2019 (he then misplaced his place on February 3, 2020).

The Mallorcan would thus resume the course of a protracted reign in the meanwhile of 209 weeks, the sixth longest within the historical past of the ATP rating, behind Novak Djokovic (373), Roger Federer (310), Pete Sampras (286) , Ivan Lendl (270) and Jimmy Connors (268). At 36 years and three months, he would thus have two data held by his Huge Three rivals in his sights: that of the oldest participant to have occupied the place of world primary (Roger Federer, at 36 years and 10 months, in 2018); and that of the oldest participant to have completed a season rather than world primary (Novak Djokovic final yr, at 34 years and seven months). A goatesque efficiency, to make certain.

Ruud and Alcaraz purpose for historical past

But when Casper Ruud or Carlos Alcaraz got here to outdo him, it will be simply as historic. Ruud, presently ranked seventh, would turn into the primary Norwegian to dominate world tennis and the least we will say is that not many individuals would have seen it coming. Fairly a thunderclap on the very least for the one who is certain to depart New York with at the very least three locations gained. And who will go to the world’s worst quantity two if he beats Matteo Berrettini within the quarter-finals.

Whether it is Carlos Alcaraz, it will be even stronger: the prodigy from Murcia, at 19 years and 4 months, would turn into the youngest world primary in historical past, effectively forward of Lleyton Hewitt who was 20 years and eight months outdated throughout his seizure of energy in 2001. Within the definitely growing older period of the Huge Three, which had appeared to definitively bury the period of triumphant youngsters, it will be a hell of a efficiency.

It will even be price to Alcaraz to turn into the fourth Spaniard world primary after Carlos Moya and, due to this fact, Juan Carlos Ferrero in addition to Rafael Nadal. A Rafael Nadal that he may, keep in mind, discover within the semi-finals. It will then be, for certain, one of the crucial necessary and thrilling matches of the yr, and much more.

The digital ATP rating this Monday, September 5

1. Nadal 5810 (certified for the spherical of 16)
2. Medvedev 5065 (eminence)
3. Zverev 5040 (bundle)
4. Ruud 5010 (certified for the quarter-finals).
5. Alcaraz 4920 (certified for the spherical of 16)

Nadal n°1 if:

. He reaches the ultimate.
. He loses in quarters or semis however neither Alcaraz nor Ruud gained the title.
. He misplaced within the spherical of 16 however neither Alcaraz nor Ruud reached the ultimate.

Ruud n°1 if:

. He wins the title by beating one other participant than Nadal within the closing.
. He misplaced within the closing towards one other participant than Alcaraz, and Nadal misplaced within the spherical of 16.

Alcaraz n°1 sure:

. He wins the title.
. He loses within the closing towards a participant aside from Ruud, and Nadal loses within the spherical of 16.