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Carlos Alcaraz has claimed the year-end world number one ranking after defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-1 at the ATP Finals in Turin on Thursday, surpassing rival Jannik Sinner in the standings.
The Spaniard, a double-Grand Slam champion this year, also secured first place in the Jimmy Connors Group at the season-ending tournament. Although Alcaraz could still lose his semi-final on Saturday, he is guaranteed to finish 2025 atop the men’s rankings, regardless of Sinner’s performance.
Alcaraz, who has won 70 matches this season, expressed his delight at reaching the milestone.
“It means the world to me. The year-end number one is always a goal,” he said. He acknowledged Sinner’s strong start to the year, adding that his own success reflects the hard work and perseverance of his team.
This year, Alcaraz has won four of his five encounters with Sinner, all in finals of top-tier tournaments, including two Grand Slam showpieces. Notably, he retained his French Open title in June after a memorable battle with the Italian, only to fall to him at Wimbledon.
Against Musetti, Alcaraz showed authority, comfortably navigating the court despite the passionate home crowd cheering for the Italian, who struggled in the second set. Musetti, ranked ninth globally, had entered the Finals after Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal but has now exited the tournament and will miss the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna next week.
Australia’s Alex de Minaur also progressed to the semi-finals after overcoming Taylor Fritz 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. De Minaur, who needed a straight-sets win to advance, will face Sinner in the semis.
The hard-court specialist notched his 43rd victory of the season on the surface, the most of any male player this year, and admitted that coming to terms with his recent defeat to Musetti helped him reset his mindset for the match against Fritz.
Fritz’s defeat ended his campaign at the Finals in just one hour and 35 minutes, concluding his participation in this year’s tournament.
