Tennis player Novak Djokovic entered the semi-finals of ATP Finals 2023

Jannik Sinner continued his excellent form with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Hodger Rune to top the Blue Group of the 2023 ATP Finals. Novak Djokovic beat Hurkacz 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1 and entered the semi-finals as the second-placed player in the group.

Novak Djokovic enters the semi-finals of the 2023 ATP Finals. (Source: AP)

After losing to Sinner, Djokovic needed to avoid defeat against Hurkacz to ensure a place in the semi-finals. However, the Serbian won 2-1 after 2 hours and 5 minutes of play and lost the right to decide.

Hurkacz replaced Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek player who was injured in the match against Rune in the second round of the group stage and had to leave the tournament.

The Polish player had a very small chance of reaching the semi-finals but he was full of determination, the No. 9 seed fought fiercely despite having to face the world number one.

In the first set, both players fought fiercely and did not lose a serve game. In the tie-break, Hurkacz did not play well, losing points on all four serves, allowing Djokovic to win quickly 7-1.

After chasing in the early stages of the second set, Hurkacz seized the opportunity when Djokovic served poorly in the fifth game, the Polish player broke the game to gain an advantage in the score. Djokovic responded fiercely, he had two break-points in the eighth game but could not break the game. As a result, Hurkacz won 6-4 and pushed the match into the third set.

Unfortunately, after a good first serve, Hurkacz lost his form and lost 5 games in a row, helping Djokovic win easily 6-1.

The 2-1 victory leaves Djokovic with no choice but to be eliminated if Rune beats Sinner. If the Dane beats the Italian 2-1, both players will advance to the semi-finals while Djokovic is eliminated.

"I was focused on winning the match and I did. The result of the match tonight was not in my hands, it was that simple," Djokovic said in his post-match press conference. "I didn't really think about the outcome."

However, Sinner helped Djokovic when he played with determination in the final match and won 2-1 (6-2, 5-7, 6-4) against Rune.

Sinner said after the match: "For me, it was really important to maintain the form after the win against Djokovic. I've never won against Rune, so I really tried my best. I started the match very well. The second set, he served better, moved better, so the match was even.

The third set, Rune could have won. In the 8th game, I saved the break point. Today my match had ups and downs, but anyway I am really happy and pleased to be in the semi-finals."

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