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Jannik Sinner’s 7-6 (4), 6-1 win over No. 2-ranked Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals of Beijing today was big for a few reasons—not only did it put him into his fifth ATP final of the year, but it was his second career win over a Top 2 player, having beaten then-No. 1 Alcaraz in Miami in March.

But there’s something more historic about the result.

According to the ATP’s official live rankings, Sinner will now rise from No. 7 to a new career-high of No. 4 win or lose in the final, meaning he’ll tie Adriano Panatta for highest-ranked Italian in ATP rankings history.

ITALIANS TO REACH TOP 10 ON ATP RANKINGS (since 1973):
No. 4: Adriano Panatta [1976]
No. 4: Jannik Sinner [2023—after Beijing]
No. 6: Matteo Berrettini [2022]
No. 7: Corrado Barazzutti [1978]
No. 9: Fabio Fognini [2019]

And there’s even more: the record for highest-ranked Italian in WTA rankings history belongs to Francesca Schiavone, who also went as high as No. 4, so Sinner will actually tie the record for highest-ranked Italian player, male or female, in either ATP or WTA rankings history.

ITALIANS TO REACH TOP 10 ON ATP OR WTA RANKINGS (since 1973 & 1975):
No. 4: Adriano Panatta [1976]
No. 4: Francesca Schiavone [2011]
No. 4: Jannik Sinner [2023—after Beijing]
No. 5: Sara Errani [2013]
No. 6: Flavia Pennetta [2015]
No. 6: Matteo Berrettini [2022]
No. 7: Corrado Barazzutti [1978]
No. 7: Roberta Vinci [2016]
No. 9: Fabio Fognini [2019]

Sinner will become the third man born in the 2000s to reach the Top 5, after Alcaraz and Rune.

Sinner will become the third man born in the 2000s to reach the Top 5, after Alcaraz and Rune.

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Sinner, who will be making his Top 5 debut, also joins a select group in terms of age—the 22-year-old will become just the sixth player born in the 2000s to reach the Top 5 on either the ATP or WTA rankings.

PLAYERS BORN IN 2000 OR LATER TO REACH TOP 5 (ATP or WTA):
Bianca Andreescu [born in 2000, Top 5 debut in 2019]
Iga Swiatek [born in 2001, Top 5 debut in 2021]
Carlos Alcaraz [born in 2003, Top 5 debut in 2022]
Coco Gauff [born in 2004, Top 5 debut in 2022]
Holger Rune [born in 2003, Top 5 debut in 2023]
Jannik Sinner [born in 2001, Top 5 debut in 2023]

Sinner will face Daniil Medvedev for the Beijing title on Wednesday.