Stefanos Tsitsipas had to unfortunately exit the tournament after seeking medical advice.
In a stunning upset at the ATP Finals in Turin, Jannik Sinner emerged victorious over world number one Novak Djokovic, marking his first win against the Serbian ace.
The 22-year-old Italian clinched the win in a nail-biting third-set tie-break, ending the match with scores of 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-2) after battling for three hours and nine minutes.
This loss was a significant one for the 36-year-old Djokovic, as it was his first since the Wimbledon men’s final in July.
The day also saw the withdrawal of Stefanos Tsitsipas due to injury. The 25-year-old Greek had to retire during his match against Denmark’s Holger Rune, following a consultation with a doctor during a break.
Expressing his disappointment, Tsitsipas said, “It’s heartbreaking not to be able to complete the tournament.”
Sinner, who is set to face Rune next, brought an end to Djokovic’s impressive 19-match winning streak, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Despite the setback, Djokovic, a winner of 24 Grand Slams, still has a chance to make it to the semi-finals. He needs to win against Poland’s ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz, who steps in as Tsitsipas’ replacement.
Djokovic made a comeback after losing the first set, tying the game and rallying from 4-2 down in the third set, only to be bested in the decisive tie-break.
Sinner, ranked fourth in the world, shared with Amazon Prime, “I showed courage and smarts at crucial moments. Both of us played exceptionally well; it was a match of high quality. Beating the world number one, who has 24 Grand Slams, means everything to me. It was a game of strategy, and I’m thrilled to have won.”
In the previous match, Tsitsipas, world number six, was behind Rune 2-1 in their group match. He seemed to struggle with a back issue and left the court amidst some disapproval from the crowd at Pala Alpitour.
Tsitsipas commented, “I’m devastated I couldn’t finish the match. It’s regrettable I couldn’t pass the opportunity to someone else. I felt awful on the court and did my best to be prepared and fit for the match, but it wasn’t enough.”
Rune, 20 years old, noted, “It was clearly unfortunate. You could tell from his first service game that he wasn’t at his usual strength. I sensed something was wrong.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ATP Finals Recap
Who won in the match between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals?
Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in a thrilling match at the ATP Finals in Turin. Sinner won in a third-set tie-break, with the final scores being 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-2).
What was significant about Djokovic’s loss to Sinner?
This match marked Djokovic’s first defeat since the Wimbledon men’s final in July. It was also significant as it was Jannik Sinner’s first victory against Djokovic, who is a 24-time Grand Slam champion and was the world number one at the time.
Why did Stefanos Tsitsipas withdraw from the ATP Finals?
Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew from the ATP Finals due to an injury. He retired from his match against Holger Rune after consulting with a doctor, citing a back problem.
Can Novak Djokovic still qualify for the ATP Finals semi-finals?
Yes, despite his loss to Sinner, Novak Djokovic can still qualify for the semi-finals of the ATP Finals. He needs to secure a victory over Polish ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz, who replaced Tsitsipas in the tournament.
What was Stefanos Tsitsipas’ reaction to withdrawing from the tournament?
Stefanos Tsitsipas expressed deep disappointment at not being able to finish the tournament. He mentioned feeling terrible on the court and regretted not being able to give his spot to another player who could have competed.
More about ATP Finals Recap
- ATP Finals Official Website
- Jannik Sinner’s Player Profile
- Novak Djokovic’s Career Highlights
- Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Injury Updates
- Wimbledon 2023 Results
- ATP Rankings and Statistics
- Holger Rune’s ATP Profile
- Hubert Hurkacz’s Recent Matches
4 comments
Djokovic still has a shot at the semis, never count him out! he’s a legend for a reason, can’t wait to see his next match
tsitsipas withdrawing is such a bummer, was really looking forward to see how he performs this year. hope his back gets better soon
wow, didn’t expect Sinner to pull off a win against Djokovic, the guy’s on fire this season! Great to see new talents shining on the big stage.
Sinner’s strategy was spot on against Djokovic, he’s proving to be a real threat on the court. Also, that tie-break was intense!