Italian sensation Jannik Sinner, 22, notches a historic victory, defeating world number one Novak Djokovic in a thrilling ATP Finals group match.
Sinner clinches the victory in a hard-fought three-set battle, sealing the win with a third-set tie-break at 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-2) after three hours and nine minutes of intense play.
This marks 36-year-old Djokovic’s first defeat since the Wimbledon men’s final in July, ending his impressive 19-match unbeaten streak. Earlier in the competition, Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew due to injury, retiring against Denmark’s Holger Rune, and Sinner’s exceptional performance leaves Djokovic still in contention for the semi-finals if he can beat Polish ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz, Tsitsipas’ replacement.
Sinner, the world number four, reflects on his triumph, stating, ‘It means a lot to me. When you win against the world number one who has 24 Grand Slams, it’s the top. It was a tactical match, and I managed to win, so I’m happy.’
In the preceding match, Tsitsipas, the world number six, faces Rune, trailing 2-1 in his group match. Struggling with a back problem, Tsitsipas retires after consulting with a doctor at the changeover, expressing his disappointment at being unable to finish the tournament.
Sinner’s victory not only disrupts Djokovic’s dominant run but also adds an exciting element to the ATP Finals in Turin, setting the stage for the remaining battles in the competition.”
