MADRID (Reuters) – World number two Jannik Sinner can close in on Novak Djokovic at the top of the world rankings by lifting the Madrid Open title but the in-form Italian said he is not putting any extra pressure on himself after a superb start to the season.

With Djokovic skipping the Masters tournament to stay in top shape for the Grand Slams and the Olympic Games, Australian Open champion Sinner would pick up 1,000 points and move to within 330 of the Serb if he wins his fourth trophy of 2024.

“I don’t want to put pressure on myself. I’m living a very positive moment, winning a lot of matches, I just try to keep going like this,” Sinner, who has lost only two of his 27 matches this year, told reporters.

“In my mind, I know that I can and have to improve if I want to win more. I’m searching for new opportunities and I feel like that every tournament I play, there can be a good opportunity to show that my level has raised.

“Showing what I’ve improved … that’s for sure something I’d like to do here. This is a new opportunity, new tournament and we’ll see how it goes.”

Defending Madrid champion Carlos Alcaraz said Sinner was the man to beat ahead of the May 26-June 9 French Open Grand Slam.

“He’s dangerous. He’s the best player in the world right now,” world number three Alcaraz said.

“I think (some people) think his tennis doesn’t suit well to the clay, but he’s had results on clay as well.

“He can win every tournament he goes to, and obviously I’m fighting with him and Novak to be number one. I’m trying to stay there, but honestly it’s going to be difficult.”

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)