ATP Finals Day 2 Recap: Rankings Shake-Up as Ruud and Zverev Rise

The ATP Finals are just underway, but significant ranking changes are already unfolding. After two days, several key victories have shaken up the standings, adding excitement as players compete for top spots.

Ruud Surpasses Djokovic in the Rankings

One of the most notable results came when Casper Ruud secured an impressive victory over Carlos Alcaraz, ending a winless streak against him. Ruud’s 6-1, 7-5 win not only strengthens his chances of advancing in the tournament but also boosts his position on the ATP Live Rankings. Starting the Finals as the world No. 7, Ruud’s 4,055 points now put him ahead of Novak Djokovic, who holds 3,910 points.

While Ruud has the potential to extend this lead, his final ranking isn’t guaranteed yet and will depend on upcoming results.

Djokovic’s Ranking in Jeopardy

Djokovic’s spot in the rankings is under pressure as he drops to seventh on the ATP Live Rankings, with a risk of falling to ninth depending on the remaining matches. Both Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev are close behind, needing only one win in the group stage to surpass Djokovic.

Although both de Minaur and Rublev lost their opening matches—de Minaur to Jannik Sinner and Rublev to Alexander Zverev—each has more opportunities. De Minaur will play Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday, while Rublev is set to face Alcaraz next, giving them both a chance to climb.

Zverev Widens the Gap Over Alcaraz

Zverev and Alcaraz are in a tight competition to end the season as the world No. 2, a ranking that could impact their seeding at the Australian Open in January. Zverev entered the ATP Finals with a 505-point lead over Alcaraz, which increased after his win over Rublev. Zverev now has 7,515 points, while Alcaraz, following his loss to Ruud, remains at 6,810 points.

Alcaraz still has a chance to overtake Zverev, but he’ll need to reach the semifinals and ideally win both remaining group matches against Rublev and Zverev. A win for Ruud against Zverev on Wednesday would further support Alcaraz’s bid.

Battle for World No. 4: Medvedev, Fritz in the Mix

With Jannik Sinner’s No. 1 spot secured, the competition for the No. 4 ranking is heating up. Daniil Medvedev currently holds the No. 4 spot but lost his first-round match to Taylor Fritz, narrowing the gap. Fritz, now only 330 points behind Medvedev, could rise to a career-high fourth if he makes a deep run while Medvedev exits early.

Ruud, de Minaur, and Rublev also have slim chances to reach No. 4, though they would need to win the ATP Finals and rely on other favorable outcomes.

ATP Live Rankings (as of November 12, 2024)

1. Jannik Sinner – 10,530
2. Alexander Zverev – 7,515
3. Carlos Alcaraz – 6,810
4. Daniil Medvedev – 4,830
5. Taylor Fritz – 4,500
6. Casper Ruud – 4,055
7. Novak Djokovic – 3,910
8. Andrey Rublev – 3,760
9. Alex de Minaur – 3,745

With more matches on the horizon, tennis fans can expect more ranking shifts as the ATP Finals continue, intensifying the battle for top positions and points.