On Sunday evening, Novak Djokovic took part in the season-ending ATP Finals tournament, for which it will be his 16th start in this tournament in his career. The Serb has already won this event six times, including: a year ago, when he defeated Casper Ruud in the final.
The first rival of the world ranking leader in Turin was the debutant Holger Rune. The 20-year-old, who is a rising star of the world tour, had to fight until the end to take part in the final tournament. At the end of this year’s season, Hubert Hurkacz started an incredible chase, but the Wrocław native’s chances to start in the tournament were deprived of his defeat in the final of the tournament in Basel against Felix Auger-Aliassim.
However, Hurkacz appeared in the capital of Piedmont and plays the role of the first substitute in the tournament. Djokovic and Rune’s group rival, Stefanos Tsitsipas, is complaining about health problems in Turin. In case of indisposition, the Greek’s place in this prestigious tournament will be taken by a Polish tennis player.
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Amazing fight! Djokovic wins the war of nerves against the rising star
Rune, who is the first Dane in history to play in the ATP Finals singles tournament, started the clash with Djokovic very bravely. The 20-year-old lost the first game on the “Nole” serve, but he showed some very offensive moves, which was only a great foretaste of what awaited us in the next games.
From the very beginning, the ATP Finals debutant set very demanding conditions for the Serb, and in the fifth game he had his first break. However, the defending champion quickly responded with a return break, and after the next game he took the lead 4:3.
Later, both of them did not give up on their serve and the fate of this set was decided by a tie-break. In it, the six-time ATP Finals winner kept his nerves under control better, winning confidently 7:4.
The lost set did not discourage the Dane, who started the second set with a strong hit. The 20-year-old quickly broke Djokovic and took a 2-0 lead. However, Djokovic did not give up and, just like in the first set, he responded quickly again. Neither player gave up on their serve, which, just like in the first set, led to a tie-break.
The teenager showed class. The master began to lose his temper
And this time it was played brilliantly by the debutant, who quickly took a 4-0 lead, and Djokovic’s game suffered from many inaccuracies. Ultimately, Rune triumphed 7:1 and the fans in the Turin hall witnessed the third game.
Djokovic started the decisive set brilliantly, quickly breaking his rival, but… the 20-year-old did not give up and quickly broke again, completely throwing the leader of the ranking off balance. Djokovic destroyed two rackets out of anger.
However, the Serb controlled his nerves at the key moment, broke his rival at 3-2 and thus opened the way to the inaugural victory in this year’s ATP Finals. The Dane extended his hopes even further on his serve, but the 36-year-old soon sealed his first win in the tournament in Turin.
Djokovic will face Jannik Sinner in the next group match, and Stefanos Tsitsipas will be the rival of the sensational Dane.
Novak Djokovic – Holger Rune 7:6(4), 6:7(1), 6:3
Source:Onet Sports Review
Author:I SEE
Date of creation: today, 00:16
