Sinner’s win helped Djokovic safe qualification for the semis as properly. (Credit: Twitter)
Sinner fought laborious to safe first place along with his third win in three group matches, permitting world primary Djokovic to comply with him into the subsequent spherical.
Novak Djokovic stayed on observe for a file-breaking seventh ATP Finals title after Italy’s Jannik Sinner beat Holger Rune 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 on Thursday to seal the Serbian world primary’s semi-ultimate ticket.
Sinner was already assured a spot within the final 4 after Hubert Hurkacz claimed a set in his 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-1 defeat to Djokovic earlier within the day, and the world quantity 4 topped the group after a battling win on the Pala Alpitour in Turin.
“It was hard, I’d never beaten him before… the crowd helped me a lot,” mentioned Sinner. “I’m pleased with how I won the game.”
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With Sinner already assured of a semi-ultimate berth, the Italian might have misplaced towards Rune understanding {that a} defeat would eradicate Djokovic from the event.
But Sinner fought laborious to safe first place along with his third win in three group matches, permitting world primary Djokovic to comply with him into the subsequent spherical.
In the semis the reigning Toronto Masters champion will play whoever finishes second within the Red Group, whereas Djokovic will face the group winner.
Carlos Alcaraz and present Red Group chief Daniil Medvedev — who can also be already within the semis – face off on Friday afternoon earlier than Alexander Zverev takes on eradicated Andrey Rublev.
Sinner initially seemed like making quick work of Rune regardless of the Dane solely having to play three video games in his earlier match with Stefanos Tsitsipas on Tuesday earlier than the Greek dropped out of the event injured.
The 22-yr-outdated got here by a 3-hour thriller towards Djokovic however seemed able to tackle the world when he broke Rune twice within the first three video games.
Fatigue and a again niggle allowed Rune again into the match, however Sinner held agency to bask within the cheers of followers who chanted his title to the rafters.
“My back is OK, I felt a small pain but it’s gone now,” added Sinner.
“It might have just been the tension of the match, I didn’t even call over my physio. I’m not worried.”
Jannik Sinner after beating Holger Rune at ATP Finals:“For me, it was actually essential. Resetting after the win towards Novak. I by no means gained towards him. I actually tried my finest. I began off rather well. In the 2nd set he served higher & moved higher… it was a little bit of a curler… pic.twitter.com/MRSR6lmp0g
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 16, 2023
Sinner’s win saved Djokovic from a disappointing finish to what has been an age-defying 2023 from the 36-yr-outdated, who gained three Grand Slams and took his 1000 Masters crowns to 40, one other file.
Djokovic took management on the finish of the primary set of his match with Poland’s Hurkacz when he rattled off 9 factors in a row to take a 6-0 lead within the tie-break after which seal the set.
However, he threw away his serve to like in sport 5 of the second set and two video games later seemed on in disbelief as Hurkacz rammed house 4 consecutive aces from 15-40 all the way down to go to inside one sport of drawing stage.
Hurkacz simply noticed out the set, drawing heat applause from the house crowd, and with the third set virtually irrelevant the Pole collapsed towards a visibly irritated Djokovic, whose hopes of a historic win are nonetheless alive.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
