By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday September 5, 2022

Flushing Meadows, NY—Rafael Nadal’s loss to Frances Tiafoe in New York has opened the door for the No.1 ranking to be claimed by another man, but it won’t be easy.



Nadal can still climb back to No.1 after the US Open if neither Carlos Alcaraz nor Casper Ruud reach the final. But if one of them breaks through to their first US Open final, all bets are off.

Here are the scenarios to watch.

Nadal reaches No.1

If Alcaraz or Ruud don’t reach the final.

Alcaraz reaches No.1

He wins the title.

He loses to the final to someone other than Ruud.

Ruud reaches No.1

He wins the title and Nadal doesn’t reach the final.

He loses in the final to someone other than Alcaraz.