Carlos Alcaraz is eyeing up the top spot in the ATP Rankings once again after a thrilling return to form after his shock US Open exit and now a leading tennis voice has claimed the Spaniard is a step ahead of world No 1 Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz produced some dazzling tennis in a 7-5, 6-3 victory over third seed Daniil Medvedev at the China Open, with Sinner waiting for him in the Final.

“I think we both started the match pretty well,” said Alcaraz as he made it eight successive tour-level wins since his US Open loss.

“It was a little bit unusual, with serve being broken many times in the first set. I broke his serve [for 3-2] and then in the next game, I don’t know what happened to me.

“I probably lost focus a little bit, missed a few first serves that against Daniil on a hard court is a really important weapon. You have to put good first serves in to put yourself in the position to attack.

“I’m really happy that I didn’t lose my focus too long in the first set. I recovered it as soon as I got broken, and I’m really happy that at the end of the set I was able to play really good tennis in the return game and then serving at 6-5. I did a really good game. After that, once you are one set up, it’s a little bit easier, playing against Daniil with more confidence.”

Meanwhile, Sinner continues to shrug off the news he could face a doping ban after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed against the finding of no fault or negligence in his case.

The world number one and defending champion made it 15 victories in a row, including a second grand slam crown at the US Open, by seeing off Chinese wild card Bu Yunchaokete 6-3 7-6 (3).

Alcaraz leads the head-to-head against Sinner 5-4 after winning both meetings in 2024, most recently a five-set semi-final clash at the French Open in June.

“It’s going to be a tough match,” said Sinner, who defeated Alcaraz in the last four 12 months ago. “We know each other very well but every match is different. I’m happy to be in the final.”

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Sinner may be world No 1 after his US Open win last month, but Alcaraz looks to be the player to beat in the men’s game right now and Andy Murray’s former coach Miles Maclagan has suggested the Spaniard has an edge on his big rival.

“You discuss the differences between him (Alcaraz) and Sinner and you say Sinner may be more consistent across the board, but Alcaraz’s best level may be better overall,” Maclagan told Sky Sports.

“His athleticism is phenomenal, the attitude is first class and his shot selection is very rarely wrong. You wonder if he is having a bit of fun at times, but you wonder if that is permitted in his game.

“I best players learn so quickly and maybe there are a couple of days when Alcaraz off, but he is getting better at that now.

“We are talking at the very highest level and on the back of the incredible summer he had as a Roland Garros winner and then defending his Wimbledon title, through time he is becoming accustomed to competing at the very, very, very highest level.”

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