Sinner – Being ‘brave’ and ‘intelligent’ was key to statement win over Djokovic
Novak Djokovic bids for a record seventh ATP Finals title in a blockbuster showpiece against home favourite Jannik Sinner in Turin.
Djokovic secured an emphatic victory over young rival Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals on Saturday and is now out for revenge against the 22-year-old Italian Sinner, who defeated the World No 1 in the group stages earlier this week.
Sinner has been in red-hot form in front of his home fans in Turin and is looking to win the biggest title of his career at the season-ending tournament. He beat Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals to continue his winning streak this week.
Djokovic, meanwhile, is targeting a record victory at the ATP Finals after a dominant season which has already seen the Serbian win three grand slam titles and secure the year-end World No 1 ranking.
Follow live updates from the ATP Finals title match between Djokovic and Sinner, below:
ATP Finals LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner latest score and updates
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ATP Finals: *Djokovic 6-3 2-1 Sinner
Sinner stops Djokovic’s run of points at 10 as he wins a gutsy backhand duel but the World No 1 senses an opportunity and does not relent for a moment.
The Serbian had a huge opportunity to claim the second break of serve as he lined up a forehand down the line, but he clips the net cord and it goes out.
Reprieve for Sinner? We’ll have to see – but that’s a big hold of serve after staring down the barrel of a double break.
Jamie Braidwood19 November 2023 18:11
ATP Finals: Djokovic 6-3 2-0 Sinner*
Two aces in a row from Djokovic – out wide on either side – as he wraps up his opening service game to love.
That’s eight points in a row to start the second set…
Jamie Braidwood19 November 2023 18:03
ATP Finals: *Djokovic 6-3 1-0 Sinner
The pressure from Djokovic is unrelenting as he jumps into a 0-30 lead on Sinner’s serve.
From there, Djokovic simply does not miss. He produces outstanding depth to the baseline and Sinner challenges in vain after Djokovic clips the baseline.
Another long rally – and Djokovic does not blink. He breaks to love to start the second set. Ominous.
Jamie Braidwood19 November 2023 18:00
ATP Finals: Djokovic 6-3 Sinner* – Djokovic wins the first set!
Djokovic roars on the opening point and pumps his fist after Sinner goes long at the end of a brutal baseline rally… the home fans don’t like that.
Another fist pump from Djokovic, this time as he lands an ace out wide. Djokovic stares the crowd down…
That’s wild from Sinner on the backhand return – miles out – it brings up three set points for Djokovic.
Djokovic has tamed the Italian and the Turin crowd so far. Long way back for Sinner here.
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood19 November 2023 17:53
ATP Finals: *Djokovic 5-3 Sinner
Sinner forces Djokovic to serve it out.
Given Djokovic has barely dropped a point on serve through this first set, it would either be a total collapse from the World No 1 or something rather special from the young Italian.
Jamie Braidwood19 November 2023 17:48
ATP Finals: Djokovic 5-2 Sinner*
A hold to love for Djokovic, sealed as Sinner struggles to deal with Djokovic’s sliced serve up the T.
This has been a real statement from the Serbian so far, to add to that spellbinding win over Carlos Alcaraz yesterday.
Jamie Braidwood19 November 2023 17:44
ATP Finals: *Djokovic 4-2 Sinner
That should settle Sinner slightly. He holds to 15 after landing a couple of big first-serve and squeezing out a rare error from Djokovic, this one on the backhand side.
Djokovic is in pole position to close out the first set from here, though.
Jamie Braidwood19 November 2023 17:41
ATP Finals: Djokovic 4-1 Sinner*
Utterly imposing from Djokovic – behind the serve and *that* forehand. Sinner nets after Djokovic finds a sublime angle with the forehand crosscourt and the No 1 takes the hold.
“Virtually unplayable,” says Tim Henman on Amazon Prime.
Jamie Braidwood19 November 2023 17:37
ATP Finals: *Djokovic 3-1 Sinner
Advantage to the No 1 and how Sinner would want this back! He is called long on a forehand that actually caught the line, but Sinner doesn’t challenge and then Djokovic forces another forehand error from Sinner.
The 36-year-old is just blasting the ball around the court at the moment and has really brought the level up against Sinner.
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood19 November 2023 17:34
ATP Finals: Djokovic 2-1 Sinner*
Djokovic unloads on a forehand winner from the middle of the baseline and crushes it past Sinner at over 85mph.
Sinner responds with a beautiful drop shot from inside the baseline – that’s a skill he has developed over the season.
Djokovic beats Sinner with an excellent backhand lob – and then Sinner whacks a forehand into the net, looking for the line.
Jamie Braidwood19 November 2023 17:30