A match where Novak Djokovic loses the first set before winning the match, we have already seen. A match where Novak Djokovic is carried around, before winning the decisive games, we have already seen too. A match where Novak Djokovic is heckled by the local public before turning on a monstrous air conditioning, we’re used to it. So, when all these scenarios overlapped, Tuesday evening in Turin, we obviously said that the Serbian was going to end up beating the Italian Jannik Sinner.
But, lo and behold, the world number one finally gave in. Galvanized by his audience, the 22-year-old Italian created a sensation by beating the 36-year-old Serbian for the first time in his career (7-5, 6-7, 7-6), winner of 24 Grand Slam tournaments. and recent winner of the Masters 1000 in Paris.
“Jannik got my scalp”
Difficult winner in his first match against Dane Holger Rune, also in more than three hours, Djokovic this time came up against Sinner, impressing in particular in his management of the decisive game of the last round. The Italian who will face Rune in the last match can still qualify in this very undecided green group. Djokovic will have to win against the Pole Hubert Hurkacz (9th) to qualify for the semi-finals.
“Whoever I play in the world, he will be even more motivated when I am on the other side of the net,” Nole reacted, in comments reported by The Team. But that’s OK. They want my scalp and Jannik got it this [mardi] evening. It’s normal to lose matches like this, but I’m still happy with my state of mind. »