Italy’s Jannik Sinner.
| Photo Credit: AFP
Jannik Sinner made historical past as the primary Italian ever to succeed in the final 4 of the ATP Finals on Thursday after Novak Djokovic beat Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-1.
World quantity 4 Sinner is assured at least second spot within the Green Group because of Hurkacz, who performed his solely match of the season-ending event as a substitute for injured Stefanos Tsitsipas, claiming a set in opposition to Djokovic.
The Serbian world primary is now sweating on his semi-final place regardless of a second win from three matches, as his qualification hinges on the outcome of Sinner’s closing match with Holger Rune in a while Thursday.
“It’s hard but it’s what I’ve chosen to do. I’m happy to have won the last match of the group, the rest is out of my hands,” stated Djokovic to Sky Sports.
“I finished the match well, let’s see what happens next.”
Sinner might intentionally lose in opposition to Rune and knock Djokovic out whereas nonetheless going by, denying the 24-time Grand Slam champion the prospect of successful a record-breaking seventh Finals.
Although Hurkacz poured chilly water on that notion, saying that his buddy will go all out to win.
“I think you’re here to win matches, so that’s what he’s going to try to do,” Hurkacz advised reporters.
“He qualified himself by winning his two first matches. He’s obviously a great guy. Yeah, he’s been playing really amazing tennis.”
Being knocked out early can be a disappointing finish to what has been an age-defying 2023 from the 36-year-old who gained three Grand Slams and took his 1000 Masters crowns to 40, one other file.
However, a win over fellow younger gun Rune would give Sinner first place within the group and certain imply lacking on-form Red Group chief Daniil Medvedev within the semis.
Djokovic now has to hope Sinner does beat Rune, who’s extra rested than the Italian after solely having to play three video games in his match with Tsitsipas on Tuesday earlier than the Greek dropped out of the event injured.
He took management at the top of the primary set 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 appeared 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 nearly irrelevant the Pole collapsed in opposition to a visibly irritated Djokovic.
