Cincinnati Masters 2023: Carlos Alcaraz's No 1 crown under threat as Novak Djokovic aims to regain top spot

World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are back in the same draw for the first time since Wimbledon 2023, as the Cincinnati Masters 2023 singles draw was announced on Saturday. The tournament has started on Saturday, August 12.

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The second consecutive week of the ATP Masters 1000 competition begins on Monday at the Cincinnati Masters 2023, with the world's best players competing for the title on American hard courts. The Spaniard, who reached the Cincinnati quarter-finals last season, will need to reach the final this year to remain at the top of the ATP singles rankings and overtake Djokovic as the top seed at the US Open.

Alcaraz will open against John Isner or a qualifier. He could face a rematch with Tommy Paul in the third round of the Cincinnati Masters 2023. The Spaniard had suffered a shock defeat in the quarterfinal round in Canadian Open, which Djokovic had missed citing fatigue. After that, the Serb will stand a chance to walk out of Cincinnati Masters 2023 with the ATP ranking crown.

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On the other hand, Djokovic will contest for the first time in a month. He will be looking to put his Wimbledon final defeat firmly behind Alcaraz. Returning to the Western & Southern Open for the first time since 2020 Djokovic is bidding for his third tournament title. He will face Toronto semifinalists Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Tomás Martín Etcheverry in his opening match. He also has been seeded to meet Cameron Norrie in the third round.

Having gained only 180 points after bettering his Canadian Open show, Alcaraz only stands 600 points ahead of Djokovic. And the 20-year-old will be defending only 180 points in Ohio where he had reached the quarters last year. If Alcaraz fails to make it past the last eight in Cincinnati Masters 2023, Djokovic, who has no points to defend, could reclaim the world No.1 spot only by making the final.