In the absence of Nadal and Djokovic, one would think that it would be clean-up time for Medvedev, Tsitsipas, and Zverev. Unfortunately for them, there are a couple of youngsters that seem to have other plans and can take this title. Those two guys are Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Let’s start with Alcaraz. He can run, he can defend, he can hit lights out on the run, and he can take the racket out of anyone’s hand. That’s exactly what he did to Tsitsipas in their quarterfinal encounter. It seemed like Tsitsipas was going to take the first set, being up a break, when suddenly things changed on a dime, and Alcaraz showed how big-time he really is. Having taken the first set, he cruised to a comfortable victory over the third-ranked player in the world. This was no fluke, at Indian Wells a couple of weeks ago, he dispatched three seeded players on his way to a three-set loss in the semifinals to none other than Rafa Nadal. His hero won’t be in the semifinal or the final. In the semis Medvedev awaits. I have a feeling he’ll take care of Medvedev on his way to the final.

Now let’s talk about the other youngster to fear, Sinner. He’s in the bottom half of the draw and displayed some calculated power tennis on his way to his quarterfinal. He’ll be taking on unseeded Cerundolo in the quarters. He’ll have no problem dispatching the Argentinian on his way to a meeting with Zverev in the semis. The way he looked against Nick Kyrgios, who has been playing some sublime tennis, should not be overlooked. He went toe to toe with Nick Kyrgios, who dispatched both Rublev and Fognini with ease in previous rounds. This kid means business.

Expect to see both Alcaraz and Sinner in the finals, with Alcaraz winning his first Masters 1000 title.

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