SportsTennis
Zverev can become world No. 1 with a quarter-final run in Vienna this week
The top seed opens against Martin Landaluce at the Erste Bank Open. Carlos Alcaraz returns for the first time since 2021 and faces Karen Khachanov first up.
Key points
- Alexander Zverev would take the No. 1 ranking on 2 November if he reaches the quarter-finals.
- Carlos Alcaraz opens against Karen Khachanov in his first Vienna appearance since 2021.
- Daniil Medvedev, the 2022 champion, starts against Daniel Merida.
Alexander Zverev is a few wins from the top of the men’s game. The top seed at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, which begins on Monday, will take over at the top of the rankings on 2 November if he reaches the quarter-finals.
The German, champion in Vienna in 2021, opens against Martin Landaluce. He is already assured of finishing the year as No. 1 after results earlier this month, which will make him the first German to end a season at the top of the rankings.
Alcaraz and Medvedev in the draw
Carlos Alcaraz is back in Vienna for the first time since 2021 and starts against Karen Khachanov. The Spaniard is looking for his fourth tour-level title of the season.
Daniil Medvedev, who won here in 2022, plays Daniel Merida.
The race for Turin
Several players have a lot riding on the week. Flavio Cobolli is sixth in the race for the season-ending finals in Turin with 3,640 points, Frances Tiafoe eighth on 3,380 and Alex de Minaur 10th on 3,285, all chasing a place among the eight in Turin.
In doubles, Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten are top seeds and are chasing a sixth title of 2026.
Vienna runs alongside the Swiss Indoors in Basel, the week’s other ATP 500 event.