Djokovic Clinches Semifinal Spot at the ATP Finals in Italy

November 18, 2021 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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Photo Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/USTA

 

Novak Djokovic became the second player to secure a place in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy as he defeated Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday to officially win the event’s Green Group.

Djokovic joins Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who won the Red Group via two victories in his first two round-robin matches.

“Winning the first set, I put additional pressure on him, and I started to maybe play more consistently from the back of the court,” said Djokovic. “I served well and that helped tremendously. I wanted to put him out of his comfort zone, taking away the time and mix up the pace. It was a great performance overall.”

The final two semifinal spots still remain. In the red group, Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner and Hubert Hurkacz all still have a chance. Zverev plays Hurkacz on Thursday, and if the German wins, he advances to the semifinals.

“I’m ready to play Hubi on Thursday, and I think that will be the deciding match for me,” said Zverev. “I’m excited, I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s all in my hands, kind of.”

But if Hurkacz beats Zverev, then he advances to the semifinals if Medvedev can defeat Sinner in the other round-robin match on Thursday. If Sinner defeates Medvedev, and Hurkacz beats Zverev, then Sinner is into the final four.

In the Green Group, which Djokovic clinched on Wednesday, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev both still have an opportunity to advance, while Cameron Norrie cannot.

Ruud and Rublev play on Thursday, with the winner earning a sport in the semifinals.

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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