(Turin) Jannik Sinner on Thursday became the first Italian to qualify for the semi-finals of the ATP Masters, a stage of the competition that world No.1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic is not guaranteed to reach.
Sinner, 24 years old and winner of his first two matches, made the history of Italian tennis, even before his last group match, scheduled for Thursday evening (9 p.m.).
It was the Pole Hubert Hurkacz, one of his best friends on the circuit, who offered him this historic qualification by taking a round from Novak Djokovic.
The Serb ended up winning against Hurkacz, replacing Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who had a back injury, in three sets of 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-1.
But the loss of the second set, following a slump from the fifth game, allowing Hurkacz to score thirteen points in a row, could cost him dearly.
If Sinner loses in a match that now has no sporting stakes for him against the Dane Holger Rune, Djokovic, who lost his duel on Tuesday against the Italian, will be eliminated.
“It’s no longer in our hands, it’s the format of this tournament that wants that, I knew that before playing this match,” explained “Djoko” after his victory.
“He’s a player that I really like off the field, but less when we face each other. He often causes me problems with his serve,” he added, about his opponent of the day.
During this match, the Serb sometimes showed great nervousness, exchanging words that did not seem pleasant with his camp during a change of sides.
“I did what I had to do, we’ll see what happens and whether or not I play in the semi-finals,” he said.
“My kids are coming tonight, I’m going to spend some time with them. Not sure I’m watching the match” from Sinner, the Serbian continued.
Djokovic, assured of finishing the year in first place in the world rankings for the eighth time in his career, is aiming for a seventh coronation in the “Masters tournament”.
He co-holds the record for victories (6) in the event with the Swiss Roger Federer.
