Tsitsipas One Win From Top 10 Breakthrough

This week last year, #NextGenATP Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas was No. 82 in the ATP Rankings. But if the 20-year-old defeats Rotterdam champion Gael Monfils on Friday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals titlist will crack the world’s Top 10 for the first time.

“I'm thinking about it almost every day,” Tsitsipas said with a smile. “I want it badly. I want it to happen very much."

Tsitsipas began the week with 2,965 ATP Ranking points, and will drop 90 of those on Monday from his quarter-final showing in Dubai last year. But if the two-time ATP Tour champion reaches the final, he will add 300 points, which is a net gain of 210 points. That would bring his total to 3,175, pending his performance in the final.

World No. 10 Marin Cilic, who has been inside the Top 10 since 31 October 2016, lost in the first round in Dubai. While he did not compete this week last season, he adds no points, and will stay at 3,095. That means that Tsitsipas would pass the Croat by reaching the final.

“It's a good motivation, because I'm so close, to get it as early as possible. Me personally, I feel like I have the game to be there already, maybe even in the future, but as soon as possible. It's better if it happens as soon as possible. It's better for me, for my confidence as well.”

If Tsitsipas wins the Dubai title, the Greek can climb as high as No. 9, pending American John Isner's results at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. Isner can maintain his ninth spot if he beats Aussie John Millman in the Acapulco quarter-finals.

Player	ATP Ranking Points Per Round
John Isner	3,315 (Acapulco QF), 3,405 (SF), 3,525 (Runner-up), 3,725 (Champion)
Marin Cilic	3,095 (R1 loss in Dubai)
Stefanos Tsitsipas	3,055 (Dubai SF), 3,175 (Runner-up), 3,375 (Champion)

Did You Know?
If Tsitsipas breaks into the Top 10, he will be the youngest player in the elite group. With Tsitsipas replacing Cilic, the average age of the Top 10 would be 29.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2NycEob