Sinner helps Djokovic reach ATP Finals semi-finals

Italy defeated Holger Rune 6-2, 5-7, 6-4, Jannik Sinner entered the ATP Finals semi-finals with Novak Djokovic - who beat Hubert Hurkacz 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 in the final round of the group stage.

Djokovic narrowed his chances of advancing in the Blue Group when he lost a set to Hurkacz. However, the Serbian still advanced to the ATP Finals thanks to Sinner's all-out performance against Rune. With three wins, Sinner topped the Blue Group, while Djokovic finished second with 2 wins and 1 loss.

Djokovic returns serve in the match against Hurkacz on November 16 at Pala Alpitour, Turin. Photo: ATP — Djokovic returns serve in the match against Hurkacz on November 16 at Pala Alpitour, Turin. Photo: *ATP*

Against a strong-serving opponent like Hurkacz, Djokovic did not dominate the entire match but took the lead at crucial moments. The world number one won 10 consecutive points from game 12 of the first set, leading 6-0 in the tie-break before winning the series 7-1. In the deciding third set, Nole took advantage of Hurkacz's loss of steam to break away and win the final five games of the match.

Hurkacz was not an easy match, even though he only played the final match of the group stage as a replacement for the injured Stefanos Tsitsipas. On the fast Turin court, the Polish player scored 24 aces, four times as many as Djokovic. He only won one return game in the entire match, but that was enough to take a set from Nole. Despite winning 2-1, Djokovic no longer has the right to decide in the Blue Group. The Serbian player must hope that Jannik Sinner defeats Holger Rune in the final match, to secure a ticket to the next round.

Hurkacz's set win over Nole secured Jannik Sinner's place in the semi-finals before playing Holger Rune. However, the Italian still gave it his all in the final match. He won the first set 6-2, before suffering a back problem. At the end of the second set, Sinner lost his serve after a lob from Rune, leading to the set being lost 5-7.

Rune would have advanced to the semi-finals if he had won the third set. After repeatedly saving break points early in the set, the Dane was close to a semi-final ticket when he had a chance to win Sinner's pivotal service game. But a wide return caused Rune to miss the opportunity. Then in the next game, he could not hold his serve when he was down 0-40. Sinner came out on top and won 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 after two hours and 30 minutes of play.

Sinner successfully converted three of 10 break-points in the match against Rune on November 16 in Turin, Italy. Photo: AP

The win keeps Sinner in contention for a record $4.8 million individual prize money for an unbeaten player. As for Djokovic, the semi-final spot keeps the Serbian hopeful of a seventh title, thus tying him for the record number of ATP Finals titles.

Vy Anh

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