For quite some time, 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and 22-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas have been playing tug-of-war for the World No.3 spot. Recently, the latter contested in the Hamburg Open 2021, where he had a chance to take over the former’s place. Unfortunately, he lost in the quarterfinals, so did he achieve the rank?

Before Hamburg, Nadal was in third place in the ATP Rankings with 8270 points while Tsitsipas was fourth with 8030 points. Since the tournament awarded 500 rankings points, the Greek had a clear chance to overtake.

However, in the quarterfinals, Tsitsipas saw an upset against Serbian Filip Krajinovic 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. Hence, he earned only 120 points, summing up to 8150 points.

WATCH: Stefanos Tsitsipas Breaks His Racquet During a Rally and Loses Match to Filip Krajinovic in ATP Hamburg Open 2021

Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Hamburg 2021 QF loss gives Rafael Nadal ranking boost

Given Tsitsipas lost to make +240 ranking points in Hamburg, he will remain World No.4. Moreover, the ATP Rankings scenario will remain the same for them for two to three weeks from here on. Thus, Nadal‘s Top 3 seat is safe for now. It is indeed good news for the Spaniard before he begins his US Summer Swing.

Additionally, the Spaniard is looking forward to making his long-awaited return on the tennis tour at Citi Open in Washington, D.C. He has not played any tournament since his Roland-Garros semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic.

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Additionally, Nadal will be playing in the United States capital for the first time in his career. Since it is an ATP 500 event, he has an opportunity to further his lead over Tsitsipas. For the curious heads, the tournament will start on August 2, 2021.

As for Tsitsipas, he will be representing Greece at Tokyo Olympics 2020. While the tournament will not award him any ranking points, it could get him a medal, which, according to him, is “every Greek athlete’s dream.”

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Nadal vs. Tsitsipas in 2021 so far

The competitive duo has met twice in this season, that is, at the Australian Open quarterfinal and Barcelona Open final. While Tsitsipas won the first battle from two sets down in an epic five-setter match, Nadal got his revenge in a tight encounter on his home turf.

Fans would surely love to see the two lock horns together again in the season. Who will end up ahead in the race of rankings and head-to-head battles? Only time will tell.

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