Sinner takes stranglehold of battle for year-end No. 1

Jannik Sinner has taken a stranglehold on the battle for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF by winning the US Open.

Entering the season's final major, the Italian led then-second-placed Carlos Alcaraz by 1,440 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. It was possible for him to leave New York in second place.

But instead, Sinner departs with a commanding 2,885-point advantage over second-placed Alexander Zverev. The 23-year-old, who earlier this year became the first Italian in PIF ATP Rankings (since 1973) to reach World No. 1, is now in prime position to become the first player from his country to secure year-end No. 1.

PIF ATP Live Race To Turin

Sinner and Zverev are the singles players who have already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals, which will be played from 10-17 November. 

Second-placed Zverev, the two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion, is just 105 points ahead of Alcaraz, the 2022 ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF. The Spaniard is next in line to qualify.

Taylor Fritz surged to fifth place by reaching his first major final at Flushing Meadows. The American is now in position to qualify for the second time, after making his debut in 2022.

Of the top eight players in the Live Race, the only star who has never competed in the season finale is eighth-placed Alex de Minaur.

Currently outside the qualification cut is ninth-placed Novak Djokovic, who is 45 points behind De Minaur. The Serbian owns a record seven Nitto ATP Finals titles and has qualified for the prestigious event 16 times.

Only 630 points separate fifth-placed Fritz and ninth-placed Djokovic, so the battle for Nitto ATP Finals qualification will only continue to heat up.