Sinner defeats Rune, advancing Djokovic into the semi-finals
Jannik Sinner defeated Holger Rune 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 on Thursday to complete a perfect round-robin stage at the Nitto ATP Finals. In doing so, he ensured that six-time champion and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic would also advance to the semi-finals.
Sinner followed up wins over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic with a valiant third performance of the week inside the Pala Alpitour, converting two of four break points he earned to win in two hours and 33 minutes.
"For me it was really important, resetting after the good win against Novak," said Sinner. "I never won against [Rune], so I really tried my best. I started off really well. In the second, he served better, he moved better, so it was a much more even match. The third set could have gone his way. At 4-3 I saved a break point. It was a little bit of a roller coaster today, but obviously really happy and happy to be in the semis."
Sinner appeared to be the more at ease player for the first set and a half of the match, but his movement appeared to be hampered by an apparent back problem midway through the second set. Holding firm, the Italian took the match deep into the deciding set and rode the raucous crowd support to his first win over Rune in three meetings.
Sinner made a quick start in his bid to keep his perfect run in Turin, cheered on by a raucous Italian crowd. He built a 4-0 lead by being clinical every time he went on the attack, and he eventually powered nine winners past the unsettled Rune to take the first set.
In need of a quick turnaround, the World No. 8 Rune, who would have topped the group and eliminated Djokovic if he had defeated Sinner, dug deep to overcome his early difficulties. At 3-2 in the second set, the Dane received treatment on his right knee from the physio, but that didn't stop him from raising his level and taking command as Sinner began to clutch his back in between points.
At 6-5 in the second set, Rune made his move, capitalizing on Sinner's errant service game to level the match and carry significant momentum into the decider.
A tense third set ensued, with both players fending off break points.
Sinner, who appeared to be moving freely again, took his chance in style, dropping a stunning backhand volley over the net at 4-4, 30/40 for an ultimately decisive break.
SportsLigue