Jannik Sinner returns to the field today for his debut at Indian Wells. The Italian tennis player will face the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis on the evening of Friday, March 8. The head-to-head record is all in favor of the man from South Tyrol, who has defeated him in all three encounters they have had in the past. The year 2024 has started on the right foot for Jannik: he has won all the matches he has played so far, first winning the Australian Open and then the ATP in Rotterdam. However, the magical year has just begun, and in California, Sinner has a great opportunity to overtake Alcaraz and become the number 2 in the ATP rankings.
When Sinner Plays
Sinner makes his debut on the third day of Indian Wells. Jannik Sinner will be the first to play on the central court on Friday, March 8 at 8 PM against the Australian Kokkinakis, who defeated Giron in two sets in the first round. His will be the first match on the central court: Sinner is probably the most awaited at Indian Wells, given his current form. And who knows if a little gift might come from Matteo Arnaldi, who instead is awaited by the challenge with Alcaraz.
Where to Watch Sinner's Match
The match between Sinner and Kokkinakis can be watched on Sky Sport, which has the exclusive rights to all nine 1000 tournaments of the season. The challenge will be broadcast on the Sky Sport Tennis channel (channel 203) and streaming, for subscribers, with Sky Go and Now starting at 8 PM.
The Draw
If he wins, Jannik Sinner will return to the field on Sunday, March 10, for the third-round match, against either Struff or Coric. On Sinner's path, possible encounters with Shelton and Rublev as well as with one between Zverev and Alcaraz in the possible semifinal.
The Current Situation
Two days before the start of Indian Wells, all the attention is on Jannik Sinner and his possible overtaking in the ranking. Between calculations, combinations, and counts, the tennis player's fans are looking for all possible ways so that the 535 points separating him from the second place in the ATP ranking can be overcome, nullified, and conquered. Arriving at the Californian Masters 1000, this is the situation in the ranking:
1. NOVAK DJOKOVIC, 9675 points
2. CARLOS ALCARAZ, 8805 points
3. JANNIK SINNER, 8270 points
4. DANIIL MEDVEDEV, 7715 points
The "Virtual" Ranking
Virtually, however, the ranking is already different. Looking at the live ATP ranking, the ranking that photographs the situation day by day, Sinner is already second. The ranking, in fact, takes into account the points won in the last year. At the moment Indian Wells starts, however, the players will lose the points obtained in the previous season, which is why - having won the tournament last year - Alcaraz will lose 1000 points, while Sinner only 360 (last year he reached the semifinals). Consequently, the updated ranking will see the Italian at 7910 points, while the Spaniard at 7805. To these, however, will be added those achieved in this edition of the tournament, which could overturn the situation again.
1. NOVAK DJOKOVIC, 9675 points
2. JANNIK SINNER, 7910 points
3. CARLOS ALCARAZ, 7805 points
4. DANIIL MEDVEDEV, 7115 points
The Possible Combinations
As already mentioned, Jannik Sinner will have five different possibilities to become the world number two. Indeed, there will be different combinations available to the 22-year-old to overtake Carlos Alcaraz. The South Tyrolean will manage to overtake him if:
1. He wins the title;
2. He reaches the final (but not against Alcaraz);
3. He reaches the semifinal and Alcaraz loses by the quarterfinals;
4. He loses in the quarters or the round of 16, Alcaraz does not reach the semifinal, and Medved does not win the title;
5. He exits in the first two rounds, Alcaraz reaches at most the round of 16, and Medved does not win the title.
Alcaraz Remains Number 2 If...
Alcaraz could therefore also remain in second position. This would happen if the Spaniard were to win the tournament, reach the final (with Sinner exiting at most in the semifinal), reach the semifinal (with Sinner exiting at most in the quarters), or stop at the quarters (with Sinner exiting at most in the third round and Medved not winning).
Watch Out for Medvedev Too
However, attention must also be paid to Medvedev. The Russian could become the world number two. How? By winning the title, but with Alcaraz and Sinner exiting in the quarters (or earlier).
Ok for Sonego and Fognini
Lorenzo Sonego, always knocked out in the Californian Masters 1000, has won his first career victory in the Coachella Valley by beating the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, world no. 47, with a score of 7-6(1), 6-4 in an hour and 32 minutes of play.
Victory also for Fabio Fognini. At his 15th career participation in the Californian tournament and in the draw thanks to a wild card, the 36-year-old from Liguria beat the Spaniard Bernabé Zapata Miralles in a comeback with a score of 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
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