The Italian Jannik Sinner defeated the Serbian Novak Djokovic, ‘Master’ and number one, this Tuesday in the ATP Finals held in Turin with a score of 7-5 and 6-7 (5) and 7-6 (2), after more than three hours of intense battle that were decided in a tie-break in which the Italian destroyed the Maestro 7-2, a historic moment for Italian tennis.
The young promise is the first Italian to win two matches in the Masters Cup and he could not do it in a more epic way, withstanding Djokovic’s reaction in the second set and with a final push in the last breath that gave him the victory, although the classification will be decided on the last day.
The highlight of the Green Group, after the disappointing confrontation between the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and the Danish Holger Run, conditioned by the Greek’s injury 17 minutes into the game due to back discomfort, faced two mass idols in Italy, but On this occasion, for the first time in a long time, Nole, confronted with the audience at various times with ironic gestures, did not enjoy the affection he is used to in transalpine lands.
And Turin, as it could not be otherwise, is clear about its favorite, a Sinner who needed to win in two sets to qualify for the semifinals, a difficult task against the world number one, who had not lost since the Wimbledon final against the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz, chaining 19 consecutive victories, and for whom it was only enough to win to access the semi-finals of the title in which he defends all the points and in which he seeks to be crowned for the seventh time, surpassing the Swiss Roger Federer.
It was the fourth time they met in their career officially – all with victory for the Serbian – but the first time indoors and on one of the fastest tracks on the circuit. The first serves were key, there were up to 35 direct ones, but the battle, equal from the beginning, was decided by details, by the moods in which he went through during the hectic contest.
The first set was a constant exchange of blows, a warning of what the match in general would be, which fell on the side of a Sinner who, thanks to the support of the Pala Alpitour, believed more in himself, trusted more and was more successful in the decisive moments with blows that made the public go crazy, delighted with the level exhibited on the court.
Sinner saved the first break point in the sixth game to tie the score at 3. He returned the pressure to Djokovic quickly, in the next game, and the Serbian responded by saving another to make it 4-3. The serves continued, but the feeling was that the Italian was beginning to grow.
Already at 5-5, Sinner ended up establishing himself as the owner of the stake. Djokovic took a 40-0 lead with serve, but the Italian roared for a spectacular, aggressive comeback, which culminated with a beautiful break to take the lead, with serve in his favor, and close a set that did not escape him with a blank game.
Sinner was better, confident in his possibilities, playing balls to the limit with precision, exhausting an overwhelmed Djokovic at that moment, serious, against the ropes.
But Djokovic is still Djokovic and, in the second set, he started strong, with the authority that comes from being the most experienced player and the current number one. Sinner did not let go, he maintained his pace, his concentration and resisted the Serbian’s attacks in another heat just as close as the first, but with the Serbian very successful in the rest. He smiled ‘Nole’, re-entered the match after the end of the first set in which he ended up angry, upset at not having been able to get it done.
He received a cervical massage but continued without problems with a battle very similar to that of the first set, but in which there were no break options, although there was a new level of stratospheric tennis on the part of both that inevitably led to the tie-break.
A spectacular return from the Italian put him ahead on the Serbian’s first serve. The Pala Alpitour chanted his name, while he, concentrated, prepared for his two serves. He confirmed the break with his first serve, but missed on the second (2-1). Djokovic also missed the net, but he recovered with a perfect point to maintain the tie at 3. Maximum equality.
Two breaks kept the battle tied at 4, but a break by Nole left him with two set points that he did not waste to stay alive.
And again a long set, also even, with no apparent cracks in anyone’s game, although with Djokovic now more convinced and Sinner more subdued, aware that he had left the best in this invitation, one of the only ones who need the minimum. to survive and turn the situation around.
However, his coach had to tell him from the stands to change the energy so that he could get back on his feet. Something changed in Sinner and it worked, because he went 40-15 on Djokovic’s serve, two break points after a complete set without them, an opportunity that he did not miss to make it 4-2 on the scoreboard and have his take out.
Turin was already a cauldron, but could not celebrate the confirmation of the break because Djokovic responded again with another break. The equality was maintained, the reproaches towards Djokovic from the Italian public as well, those to which he responded as if it were music to his ears, with an ironic dance. The match had to be decided with a tie-break.
Sinner went 3-0 after two breaks. Turin chanted his name again, seeing him as the winner. It was 5-0 with a serve in favor and the Italian did not let him escape. He reduced the Maestro and left everything open to access the semifinals in a last day that seems like a heart attack and in which the calculator may be necessary.
