Sinner defeated Tsitsipas at the start of the ATP Finals
MADRID, 13 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic won another battle with the Dane Holger Rune this Sunday to debut with victory in the ATP Finals and secure the number one in the world until next year, the eighth season that ‘Nole’ ends at the top.
Djokovic needed three hours to win 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 6-3 against a Rune who again sold his skin dearly like 10 days ago in Paris-Bercy. The one from Belgrade, who ended up lifting his 40th Masters 1,000 last week, was once again physically and mentally stronger than his young rival to achieve one of his goals.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion still has work to do in a legendary 2023. ‘Nole’ wanted to tie the number one spot under the increasingly less intense stalking of the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz, and for that he only needed a victory in Turin that came in his debut. Now, Djokovic will continue in search of his seventh Masters Cup and, later, he will go to Malaga for the Davis Cup with his country.
The number one roadmap continued its course despite the fact that Rune was once again a level rival. The Dane demanded the maximum from his prestigious opponent during two rounds of pure exchange and attrition. Djokovic took the first despite losing his serve, which he recovered immediately, and being better at sudden death.
The six-time Master lost his serve again against Rune who went all out for the second set. The Dane could not hold the lead but managed to have a set point before reaching the tie-break, where he displayed a game of carats to force the third set. There came the response from number one, but again the rivalry between the two turned the match into a roulette wheel.
The one from Belgrade let an early break slip away and broke two rackets out of pure frustration after midnight, but the gas held out better for the 36-year-old than for the 20-year-old. Djokovic subdued Rune and celebrated a victory that promises him more 400 weeks at number one in the world, a record that continues to grow. The Serbian will face the local Jannik Sinner on the second day, for a place in the semifinals within the Green Group of the tournament that brings together the eight best players of the season.
At the start of the action at the Pala Alpitour, the Italian hope defeated (6-4, 6-4) the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, in his first match as a starter in the ATP Finals. The support of the stands spurred the 22-year-old tennis player, who hit 22 winners and canceled the setback of Tsitsipas that had raised doubts about his physique.
The ‘Master’ in 2019 did not finish a couple of training sessions due to discomfort but appeared in his debut. Sinner was better to sign his 58th victory of the season after about an hour and a half of serious debut, where he did not face any break balls. The Italian scored each set with a break in both.