Alcaraz looks to reclaim World No. 2, Draper eyes Top 4, ahead of Roland Garros

Carlos Alcaraz is this week eyeing the chance to reclaim the No. 2 PIF ATP Ranking and guarantee himself the second seeding at Roland Garros. At the same time, Briton Jack Draper has chance to move to a career-high No. 4 and secure the crucial fourth seeding at the year's second major.

According to the PIF ATP Live Rankings, Alcaraz can secure a return to World No. 2 and the second seed spot in Paris by reaching the semi-finals at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. The 22-year-old Spaniard, set to face Karen Khachanov in the fourth round on Tuesday, would surpass Alexander Zverev — who is defending champion's points from last year’s title run — with two more wins in Rome. Even if Alcaraz does not win another match in Rome this week, he would also return to No. 2 if Zverev fails to defend the title.

The second seed spot in Paris would ensure Alcaraz avoids a potential semi-final clash with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz leads Sinner 6-4 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

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PIF ATP Live Rankings (as of 12 May)

World No. 5 Jack Draper is enjoying a breakthrough season, highlighted by his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells and a runner-up finish in Madrid. The 23-year-old Brit is just 115 points behind World No. 4 Taylor Fritz, who suffered an early loss in Rome to Marcos Giron.

By reaching the semi-finals, Draper would rise to No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings and earn the fourth seed at Roland Garros, crucially avoiding the Top 3 players until the semi-finals. He next faces Corentin Moutet in Rome and is two wins away from making history as only the fourth British man to reach the Top 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings (since 1973), joining Andy Murray, Tim Henman, and Greg Rusedski.

The fight for Top-8 seeding at Roland Garros is also intensifying. Casper Ruud (3,755 points) and Alex de Minaur (3,635) occupy the seventh and eighth spots in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, respectively. However, Lorenzo Musetti (3,560) could break into the Top 8 if he outperforms either player in Rome.

Former Rome champion Daniil Medvedev (3,290), Tommy Paul (2,910), and Arthur Fils (2,845) remain in contention and are ranked 11th, 13th, and 14th, respectively, in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. All three still have a shot at a Top-8 seed, which would allow them to avoid facing another Top-8 seed until the quarter-finals in Paris.

The Roland Garros draw will take place on 22 May, with the tournament starting on 25 May.