Predictor Game: Sinner has nothing to lose in Madrid | ATP Tour

Predictor PIF ATP Rankings

Predictor Game: Sinner has nothing to lose in Madrid

April 22, 2024

By ATPTour.com/es Staff

The clay court season continues with a key ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid. The best players in the world will try to earn important PIF ATP Rankings points at the Mutua Madrid Open, where Carlos Alcaraz is the current champion.

Players like Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas, recent champions of Barcelona and Monte Carlo, arrive with an enormous pace of play.

Before each tournament, ATP Tour.com analyzes three players who could be good options for fans in the PIF ATP Rankings Predictor.

Choose Your Players!

Jannik Sinner — defends 0 points
The Italian has been the player to beat in the 2024 season, lifting his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open and maintaining top form with wins in Rotterdam and Miami. Sinner occupies the best position of his career as No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings and can focus his thoughts on the No. 1 held by Novak Djokovic.

A year ago, Sinner did not compete in Madrid, so he will not defend points this season in the Caja Mágica. As the first seed, each match he wins will mean a net gain of points in the tournament.

Although hard courts have been the main source of points for Sinner according to Infosys ATP Stats (77% effectiveness), he has also performed solidly on clay (68.7%). The Italian began the season on the surface by reaching the semi-finals of Monte Carlo, where he dominated the champion Tsitsipas with a definitive sleeve break.

Sinner could debut against compatriot Lorenzo Sonego, with No. 32 seed Jordan Thompson the first seed in his path.

Casper Ruud — defends 45 points
Ruud has found his best level in 2024, climbing to No. 3 in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin by winning his first ATP 500 title in Barcelona. After reaching the Monte Carlo final, the Norwegian arrives in Madrid full of confidence.

The player with the most wins of the year (29) lost his first match in the Caja Mágica last year against Matteo Arnaldi, giving him the opportunity to earn up to 955 points this week. Casper will attempt to lift his first ATP Masters 1000 title this week.

Ruud knows what it’s like to shine in the tournament after reaching the semifinals in 2021. Having won multiple matches in all the tournaments played this season, why wouldn’t he maintain his consistency?

The only barrier to the PIF ATP Rankings Predictor is that Ruud, who will debut against Miomir Kecmanovic or Zhang Zhizen, is that he shares the same quarter of the draw with Sinner. If you select both players for your team and they meet in the quarterfinals, you will be guaranteed a semifinalist in the tournament.

Ben Shelton — defends 10 points
Shelton is an interesting option in Madrid. With a defense of just 10 points, he has the potential to add some serious haul for your team this week.

The No. 14 seed, who will face either Tomas Machac or Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round, has only played 13 tour-level matches on clay in his career. However, weeks ago in Houston, he lifted the title on the surface.

Traditionally, Madrid has been an opportunity for big servers like Shelton thanks to the altitude. Last year, Jan-Lennard Struff signed a dream path to the final. Will the American manage to become the surprise of the Caja Mágica?

Bonus Ball — Jannik Sinner
Sinner has been the best player in the world this season by far. The Italian leads the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin by 1,650 points over second-placed Daniil Medvedev.

In top form and with no points to defend in Madrid, the Italian is an easy choice as Bonus Ball this week. In many tournaments, the best players in the world will be a risky option when facing a great points defense. But Sinner stars in the opposite case in the Caja Mágica, opening the door to a huge net gain with the Italian.