Novak Djokovic reclaims World No. 1 spot as Carlos Alcaraz falters in Miami Open title defense

Novak Djokovic has regained the World No. 1 spot after Carlos Alcaraz's latest loss to Jannik Sinner at the 2023 Miami Open.

Taking on Sinner in the semifinals, Alcaraz needed to defend his title in Miami in order to retain his hold on the top spot. The pursuit started well for the teenager, who won his 21st straight set overall and ninth straight set in the tournament in a tiebreaker.

In a match that witnessed points of incredible quality from both players, Sinner raised his level as the second set dragged on. He broke in the ninth game before taking the set 6-4.

The third set saw Alcaraz, the reigning US Open champion, struggle with his fitness initially. That, combined with the likely disappointment at the loss of the second set, led to Sinner breaking early for a 2-0 lead.

While Alcaraz soon put his cramps behind him and found his best footing as time passed, it was not enough for the three-time Masters 1000 title winner. Jannik Sinner ultimately prevailed 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2 to equal the head-to-head against the 19-year-old at 3-3.

With the loss of 640 ranking points from Miami, Alcaraz will only have 6,780 ranking points to his name come Monday. Djokovic, meanwhile, would be 400 odd points ahead with 7,160 points under his belt, despite not having competed at the Sunshine Double.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion also has no points to defend at two of the three upcoming Majors, Wimbledon and the US Open, thus giving him a good chance of holding on to the World No. 1 spot for a longer duration.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will both be in action at the Monte-Carlo Masters next

2022 Mutua Madrid Open

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will both turn their attention next to the Monte-Carlo Masters as the clay season begins. Djokovic has already been spotted training on clay, while Alcaraz will need to make a quick transition to the surface after his Sunshine Double outing.

Neither has a lot of points to defend in the tournament, with both facing early exits in the 2022 edition. Novak Djokovic fell in his opener to eventual finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina last year. Alcaraz, meanwhile, lost to Sebastian Korda in the second round of the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters in three sets.