The Cincinnati Open has thrown the world number one ranking picture into chaos, with its finale set to decide who will claim the top spot on both the men’s and women’s tours.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will clash in a thrilling final, with Sinner defending his U.S. Open title and Alcaraz aiming to seize the opportunity after falling short last year due to just 50 points to defend. The outcome of this match will determine who is closest to claiming world number one.
Meanwhile, Iga Świątek’s path to victory could lead her to surpass Aryna Sabalenka in the rankings, despite a significant gap between them. A win for Paolini would make Sabalenka’s position more secure.
The tournament was marred by retirements and player withdrawals due to the hot weather and humidity. A total of 11 players pulled out, including seven seeds on the men’s side. Frances Tiafoe, who is a fan favorite, had to pull out of his match against Holger Rune due to a back problem.
The draw was also criticized for its scheduling issues, with world number 31 Anna Kalinskaya taking to social media to express her frustration with the tournament’s timing. The WTA and tournament officials did not respond to her concerns.
Térence Atmane’s incredible run in the Cincinnati Open has given him a significant boost in the rankings, moving up to number 69 after reaching the semifinals as a wildcard entry. This unexpected success could make him a nightmare draw for top players at the U.S. Open.
The tournament results have had an impact on the world rankings, with several players rising or falling. Veronika Kudermetova has moved into the top 26, while Térence Atmane has jumped up to number 69. Anna Kalinskaya reenters the top 32, and Holger Rune has dropped out of the top 10.
The Cincinnati Open’s final will provide a thrilling conclusion to this year’s tournament, with the world number one ranking picture hanging precariously in the balance.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6552942/2025/08/18/tennis-rankings-world-number-one-atp-wta