Securing a year-end world No. 1 rating for an unprecedented eighth time, Novak Djokovic emerged victorious in his ATP Finals opening match on Sunday, defeating Holger Rune 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (1/7), 6-3.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion wanted only one win or a defeat for younger rival Carlos Alcaraz to safe the highest spot within the ATP rankings for 2023 and prevailed in a three-hour Green Group conflict with spirited debutant Rune.
Djokovic, on a run of 19 straight wins, has had an age-defying 12 months, successful three Slams to turn into the all-time report winner of main titles.
The 36-year-old got here into the Finals in Turin off the again of his seventh triumph on the Paris Masters, his fortieth victory at a Masters 100 occasion.
Those are two extra data so as to add to a protracted and rising listing for Djokovic, who’s searching a seventh Finals title, which might take him one forward of retired nice Roger Federer.
“It means a lot. You could see that there were a lot of emotions on the court,” mentioned Djokovic.
“I could feel it; I was very eager to win the match and get that monkey off my back … Obviously, a big objective and a big goal have been achieved; everything else now is a bonus.”
Djokovic appeared on track for victory when he took a brutal opening set in decisive style, prevailing within the tie-break with a shocking cross-court return winner.
And the match appeared to have turned decisively within the third sport of the second set, when after Rune received the primary two, Djokovic broke again in an excellent 11-point sport and ultimately received the third try.
Rune stored plugging away, nevertheless, and after the pair slugged one another with greater and larger hits, Djokovic slipped within the tie-break, lacking a easy volley to attract degree on the second level after which collapsing to concede the set.
But after briefly shedding it by permitting Rune to interrupt again in sport three of the third set, kicking his rackets in a rage, Djokovic composed himself and noticed out a historic win.
“I found a way to win today against an opponent who played brilliantly … he had a lot of courage today,” added Djokovic in Italian.
“If I want to keep up with these youngsters, I’m going to have to work even harder!”
Sinner off the mark
Home hope Jannik Sinner bought off to a near-perfect begin by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight units, 6-4, 6-4, delighting the group in Italy’s northwest.
Sinner has had the very best season of his profession thus far, successful 4 tournaments, and is ready to turn into the primary Italian ever to complete a season within the ATP high 5.
The 22-year-old comfortably handled 2019 champion Tsitsipas in entrance of an enthusiastic crowd, not dropping a service sport nor going through a break level in the entire match.
“The atmosphere was really, really nice. It is a huge pleasure for me to play here in Turin, in Italy,” Sinner instructed reporters.
“Obviously a little bit more pressure, but I managed it really well today, so I’m happy.”
Afterward, Greek Tsitsipas denied he had any bodily issues, though he appeared approach under his greatest, telling reporters “I’m healthy. I’m ready to compete.”
The 25-year-old needed to play down studies of an elbow damage, which curtailed observe forward of his match opener.
“I’m absolutely fine, and I am ready to play this tournament. Turin is one of the most important events of the year for me,” he mentioned.
On Monday, Alcaraz made his ATP Finals debut within the Red Group in opposition to Alexander Zverev, the second-seeded Djokovic’s closest challenger.
However, the Wimbledon champion is in unsure kind after being dumped out of the Paris Masters by Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin following his return from an damage layoff.
The Spaniard hadn’t performed for the reason that Shanghai Masters in early October because of decrease again and left foot issues.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
