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The seven matches that have spawned a new world No.1 since 2000

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Roar Rookie
28th January, 2023
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On Sunday night, Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas will do battle at Rod Laver Arena for more than the Norman Brookes Trophy. The winner of this contest will become the new world No.1 after Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Australian Open due to a knee injury.

For Djokovic, he can claim the top mantle for the seventh time with victory, although if Tsitsipas takes home the title, he will become the first Greek player to be on top of the ATP rankings.

The 2023 Australian Open final will mark the eighth match this century where either player can become world No.1, despite neither of them already being on top of the rankings. Whether that be through better success, injury, or a shock exit, it has allowed these opponents to fight for more than just a respective title.

Roger Federer vs Juan Carlos Ferrero – 2004 Australian Open semi-final

Prior to the 2004 Australian Open, there was a revolving door of world No.1s, however this match would change the course of tennis history.

Andy Roddick became No.1 after his semi-final finish at the 2003 Paris Masters, meaning he carried the first seed into the first grand slam of the 2004 season. However, a five-set loss to an unseeded Marat Safin in the quarter-finals left the door open for both Roger Federer and Juan Carlos Ferrero, who crossed paths in the semi-final.

Although the Spaniard had held the top gong before, Federer was yearning for that elusive ranking for the first time. A 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 win would kickstart a four-year stint at the top of the rankings for the Swiss youngster, as well as start an insane reign, where the big four would cement the top spot for 18 years.

Roger Federer in action at the US Open

Roger Federer (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)

Ana Ivanovic vs Jelena Jankovic – 2008 French Open semi-final

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Going into Roland Garros, two young Serbians were knocking on the door for the No.1 ranking. Held by Maria Sharapova, she was eliminated by 13th seed and fellow Russian Dinara Safina in the fourth round. As fate would have it, Ivanovic and Jankovic would play off for the top spot on the WTA rankings in the semi-final of the French Open.

The match would go the distance, as Ana Ivanovic reached the top at just 20 years old! She would go on to defeat Safina in the final 6-4, 6-3.

Serena Williams vs Jelena Jankovic – 2008 US Open final

Despite missing out on a maiden No.1 ranking at Roland Garros, Jelena Jankovic had already tasted glory going into the 2008 US Open. A quarter-final appearance at the Beijing Olympics was enough for the Serbian to reach No.1 after Ana Ivanovic withdrew with a thumb injury. However, this would be short-lived as Ivanovic would secure the ranking the following week and bring it into the US Open.

When the 20-year-old was eliminated in the second round though by qualifier Julie Coin, the race was on again. This time Jankovic had another competitor in Serena Williams. Looking for her first reign on top in five years, the American would have to get past Jankovic in the US Open final to claim it once again. The 23-time grand slam champion won her third home slam in straight sets to move to the top of the WTA rankings.

Serena Williams vs Dinara Safina – 2009 Australian Open final

Fast forward to the next grand slam, and Jankovic had been at the top of the women’s game for 17 weeks, before she lost in the fourth round to 16th seed Marion Bartoli 6-1, 6-4. This would ignite a battle between two of the top players in women’s tennis.

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The first contender was Serena Williams, who has already featured on this list. She came into the Australian Open as the second seed. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Dinara Safina had never been world No.1. After making the final at Roland Garros in 2008, and the semi-final at Flushing Meadows, Safina was fighting for her first grand slam title and the elusive No.1 ranking. However, the Russian had no chance as Williams dominated, winning 6-0, 6-3.

Victoria Azarenka vs Maria Sharapova – 2012 Australian Open final

In a new era of women’s tennis, 21-year-old Danish star Caroline Wozniacki had held the top WTA ranking for almost a year, prior to the 2012 trip to Melbourne Park. Up to seven players were in striking distance of Wozniacki’s position, and when the 2009 US Open finalist lost in the quarter-finals to Kim Clijsters, the race for a new No.1 was down to three. This would set up a final between third seed Victoria Azarenka and fourth seed Maria Sharapova.

Sharapova had climbed to the top of the mountain on four occasions between 2005 and 2008, while Azarenka was looking to become the first Belarusian to achieve the feat. The world No.3 would reign supreme in what was a masterclass, taking home her first Australian Open title 6-3, 6-0.

Iga Swiatek vs Maria Sakkari – 2022 Indian Wells final*

When Australian Ash Barty shocked the world, retiring at the peak of her powers, following her Australian Open victory, it left a gaping hole in women’s tennis.

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At Indian Wells six weeks later, Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari were both up for the task. Both players had the opportunity to become the top-ranked player for the first time in their careers. Swiatek was up for the challenge, winning 6-4, 6-1 inside 80 minutes. The Polish youngster has been world No.1 ever since.

Iga Swiatek of Poland

Iga Swiatek (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

*Ash Barty was still No.1 when she retired after the Australian Open, although this match decided the interim world No.1.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Casper Ruud – 2022 US Open final

2022 was a year of change for tennis. The retirement of Ash Barty was mentioned before, but there was a passing of the torch in the men’s game as well. After 18 years of dominance from the big four, the next generation began knocking on the door.

It seemed that Daniil Medvedev would pin down the No.1 spot for years to come. However, a fourth-round loss to Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic’s ban from Flushing Meadows meant that it was time for a new world No.1.

The world No.4 against the world No.7 makes this match one of the most open battles for the crown on the list. As Rafael Nadal lost in the fourth round to Frances Tiafoe, and Stefanos Tsitsipas to qualifier Daniel Galan in the opening round, it left Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud to play for the top spot in the rankings. The match was taken to four sets, where the Spaniard took home the trophy.

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