Field Level Media
19 Nov 2023, 11:25 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports)
Top-seeded Serbian Novak Djokovic swept No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday to advance to the title match of the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.
Djokovic won for the third time in four matches against Alcaraz this year to set up a meeting in the final with fourth-seeded Italian Jannik Sinner, who upset Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1 in Saturday's other semifinal.
"After spending a lot of time on the court in the first three matches, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel (Saturday)," Djokovic said. "This year I wasn't maybe as sharp in the second and third group matches, particularly, but I think tonight from the very beginning I felt the ball well.
"I approached the match with the right attitude, the right mentality and I knew from the very first point it was going to be greatly intense. ... (Alcaraz) always brings out his best in these kinds of matches and starts with a lot of high-quality tennis and intensity. You've got to match that, try to weather the storm, and I did that."
It was a dominant performance for Djokovic, who only trailed once -- at 1-0 in the second set. He saved all four break points he faced, won 30 of 37 first-service points and overcame 10 aces from Alcaraz to move one win away from securing his seventh ATP Finals championship.
Meanwhile, Sinner, in front of a friendly crowd, blew by Medvedev in the third set after dropping the second-set tiebreaker. Sinner jumped out to a 3-0 lead before losing the fourth game, but that's all Medvedev would get as the 22-year-old put himself in position to potentially become the first Italian to win the ATP Finals.
"It was a really tough match (Saturday)," Sinner said. "The second set was really tight but then he played a very good tiebreak. In the third set I just tried to stay a bit more aggressive and mixing up my game a little bit. I am happy to be in the final."
For the match, Sinner recorded 29 winners against 13 unforced errors, while Medvedev finished with 30 and 14, respectively.
With an even tougher opponent ahead, Sinner is planning on leaning on the home crowd once again, something he's done throughout the tournament.
"It is a privilege to have this kind of pressure," Sinner said. "Even the week before this event I felt really good on this court. It is quite fast. The crowd has given me so much energy."
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Tennis Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Tennis Times.
More InformationNew Delhi [India], December 10 (ANI): Former India batter Wasim Jaffer said on Sunday that the Indian Premier League (IPL) ...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 10 (ANI): Former Indian skipper Anjum Chopra expressed surprise at Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu going ...
(Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports) For as well as the New Jersey Devils have fared as of late, the ...
Birmingham [UK], December 10 (ANI): Aston Villa skipper John McGinn's lone goal helped his side beat Arsenal in the Premier ...
New Delhi [India], December 10 (ANI): Uncapped Indian pacer Kashvee Gautam, who was picked up for Rs 2 crores in ...
Sevilla [Spain], December 10 (ANI): After Real Madrid shared points with Real Betis in La Liga at Benito Villamarin in ...
The annual rating is led by a dynasty from the UAE for the first timeThe Bloomberg 'World's Richest Families 2023' ...
California [US], December 10 (ANI): In a detailed study, researchers identify which diets are effective in lowering the risk of ...
LONDON - When her husband fled China in 2019 to escape a police crackdown on dissidents, Lu Lina thought she ...
New York [US], December 10 (ANI): Sweden's deputy envoy to the UN, Andreas von Uexkull, said India and Sweden remain ...
Nashville (Tennessee) [US], December 10 (ANI): Six people died after tornadoes and strong thunderstorms hit Tennessee, US, according to CNN. ...
© Provided by Xinhua HEFEI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- As steaks sizzle on the grill pan in a steakhouse located ...