Prior to Indian Wells, Sinner was in 10th position in the rankings race to qualify for the elite event.

With Rafael Nadal out for the season, Sinner was practically ninth, just one spot off qualifying to make his first appearance at the tournament.

But following the surprise triumph of Cameron Norrie in California, the Brit catapulted himself into Sinner’s position, pushing the Italian to 11th.

As a result of Sinner securing the European Open title in Antwerp, his fourth title in 2021 and fifth of his career, the 20-year-old has re-established his position of 10th in the race.

Two spots remain as six men have now booked their berths for the Finals in Turin, Italy. Those men are Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev and Matteo Berrettini.

The next four candidates to take the remaining two places are separated by just 175 ranking points in the race.

Casper Ruud sits seventh with 3,015, with Hubert Hurkacz ninth on 30 fewer at 2,955 (Nadal is eighth). Sinner has 2,845, just five points ahead of Norrie on 2,840.

All four men are fighting to play at the ATP Finals for the very first time in their careers.

Each of Ruud, Hurkacz and Sinner have previously appeared at the Next Gen ATP Finals. The exhibition event held in Milan is equivalent to the ATP Finals but for players 21 and under in age.

Hurkacz appeared as a 21-year-old in 2018, while Ruud and Sinner participated in 2019, aged 20 and 18 respectively.

Moreover, Sinner stunned the home crowd that year to claim the title as the requisite Italian wildcard. He was the lowest ranked player at the event at 93rd in the world.