Nov 16, 2023 at 5:02 PM Update: 5 hours ago
Novak Djokovic reached the last four of the ATP Finals on Thursday thanks to Jannik Sinner’s victory over Holger Rune. The Serbian lost a set against Hubert Hurkacz earlier in the day, which left him in the waiting room.
Rune had to win to ensure a place in the semi-finals instead of Djokovic. The Dane made it even more exciting against Sinner, who had already qualified for the semi-final battle. Rune lost the first set without a chance, but recovered in the second set.
In the deciding set, Rune had a break opportunity at 3-4 to get to 5-3, but he failed to take advantage of it. Sinner then thundered over Rune and finished the job on his first match point: 6-2, 5-7 and 6-4.
Earlier in the evening, Djokovic won against Hurkacz, who was called up to replace the injured Stéfanos Tsitsipás. Hurkacz made it difficult for Djokovic in his third match in Turin. The Pole was especially dangerous with his serve: he hit no fewer than 24 aces, compared to Djokovic’s 6.
In the first set it was still the same for a long time. Djokovic won the tiebreak. Hurkacz (ATP-11) struck mercilessly in the second set by taking advantage of his only break opportunity and then served out the set. Then the Pole was done for. Djokovic won the deciding set easily: 7-6 (1), 4-6 and 6-1.
Djokovic triumphed in two of his three matches at the ATP Finals. In his first match he defeated Rune, meaning he once again ended the year as number 1 in the world. Then Djokovic lost to Sinner. The Italian ended a series of nineteen victories for the Serbian.
ATP Finals is an end-of-year tournament for the best eight tennis players in the world. Last season, Novak Djokovic took home the trophy for the sixth time in his career.
2023-11-16 23:04:23
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