In Thursday’s Green Group clash at ATP Finals, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic secured a semifinal spot by defeating alternate Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1. This victory, coupled with Jannik Sinner’s 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 triumph over Holger Rune, solidified Sinner’s historic entry into the semifinals, marking the first time an Italian achieved this in the tournament’s 54-year history.
Jannik Sinner, the home favorite, also claimed the top spot in the group with a perfect 3-0 record, including a notable win over defending champion Djokovic earlier in the week.
Despite Hurkacz’s formidable serve and 24 aces, Djokovic, frustrated but victorious, broke through in the final set, converting crucial break points. Djokovic’s 15th victory over a top-10 player this year did little to assuage his frustration, evident in his brief post-match interview.
The match showcased Hurkacz’s aggressive play, particularly in the first set, where he forced Djokovic into a tiebreak. However, Djokovic’s resilience and strategic play secured the set. In the second set, a distracted Djokovic faced challenges from Hurkacz, who capitalized on the Serb’s unforced errors, ultimately forcing a decider.
On the other court, Sinner’s battle against Rune saw him secure the first set swiftly. However, Rune fought back in the second set, taking advantage of Sinner’s apparent discomfort. In the decider, Sinner displayed resilience, saving a crucial break point and ultimately breaking Rune’s serve to seal his victory.
Sinner’s win marked his 60th victory in 2023, a testament to his standout season. Both Djokovic and Sinner’s performances set the stage for intriguing semifinal matchups in the ATP Finals.
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