sinner tour 2023

Jannik Sinner gets his breakthrough win in Toronto — is the U.S. Open next?

TORONTO — Jannik Sinner was sitting in the middle, wearing a bright green T-shirt. To his left, Tony Cho, the tournament referee. To his right, ATP Tour officials.

It was the draw ceremony ahead of the National Bank Open, at which Sinner was one of the headline players. A few inches away sat the trophy, a compact structure with interwoven bronze ovals and strings holding a silver tennis ball suspended in the air.

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Sinner glanced at the trophy during the ceremony. Nine days later, he raised it above his shoulders, with red confetti blowing behind him. The 21-year-old Italian on Sunday defeated Alex de Minaur of Australia, 6-4, 6-1, to win the tournament championship. It is Sinner’s most significant title to date, his first ATP Masters 1000 crown after losing his two previous final appearances.

Men’s professional tennis is in transition. With Roger Federer retired, Rafael Nadal sidelined and Novak Djokovic in the twilight of his career, the sport awaits its next superstar. Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated Djokovic at Wimbledon to win his second Grand Slam title at just 20 years old, has burst out in front of the youth generation.

Sinner isn’t far behind. The win in Toronto pushed him up to No. 6 in the world rankings as he continues to climb toward the top of the men’s game.

“The confidence is going to be a little bit higher but also my expectations are going to be higher,” Sinner said. “When I came here, I knew that I can play very, very good. This is a great result and we’ll see how it goes in the future.”

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again" 👏 Third Masters 1000 final, first triumph, @janniksin downs de Minaur 6-4 6-1 @NBOtoronto | #NBO23 pic.twitter.com/68GFaXSU3C — ATP Tour (@atptour) August 13, 2023

Sinner began his week in an empty Sobeys Stadium, practicing with Canadian Milos Raonic . He absorbed the missile Raonic serves, countering them with the flat, powerful groundstrokes that define Sinner’s game.

Not many people can hit a ball like Sinner. It produces a crunching sound as it sails deep into the court. Opponents struggle to respond to that power.

Sinner launched into the tennis consciousness when he defeated de Minaur to capture the 2019 ATP Next Gen Finals at 18 years old. Since then, it’s been a steady rise. His first ATP title came in November 2020 at the Sofia Open. Less than a year later, Sinner won the Washington Open for his first ATP 500 title. A total of four tournament victories in 2021, plus his first Masters 1000 final appearance, vaulted him up the rankings.

The 2022 U.S. Open felt like a potential breakthrough moment for Sinner. He had reached the quarterfinals in each of the three other Slams, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier that year. The fast courts in New York suit Sinner’s blazing groundstrokes.

Sinner again advanced to the quarterfinals, becoming the youngest men’s player to reach that round in all four Slams since Djokovic in 2008. His reward — a showdown with Alcaraz.

In that match, Sinner was up two sets to one. He had a match point in the fourth set. It didn’t matter as Alcaraz rallied to win the fourth set, 7-5, and the fifth, 6-3. The last point finished at 2:50 a.m. ET. The total match time was five hours and 15 minutes.

Sinner matched Alcaraz’s power. Long, powerful rallies defined the match. But tennis is won or lost in the big points. Alcaraz won 16 more points than Sinner, and it was in those pressure moments the Spaniard outplayed his opponent, en route to winning the U.S. Open and achieving his huge breakthrough.

And leaving Sinner with lessons to grasp.

“After the match, it was tough to accept the loss,” Sinner told The Athletic . “That’s why I played Davis Cup after to try and forget. Now the mentality is different. I’m focused on the present moment. We are improving from the past what happened and trying to do better.”

Sinner credits his two-pronged coaching team of Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi for the growth. Vagnozzi helps with the technical side of Sinner’s game. Cahill prepares Sinner for the big matches. The Australian’s prior experience coaching Grand Slam champions Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi and Simona Halep is a useful asset for Sinner.

“He has seen so many matches already throughout his coaching career,” Sinner said. “He gives you confidence, but he’s always relaxed.”

The quarterfinal exit at the U.S. Open didn’t deter Sinner.

He won his first tournament in 2023 at the Open Sud de France. In Rotterdam, Sinner defeated world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas, his first win against a top-three player in his career. At the Miami Open, Sinner got his revenge against Alcaraz, rallying after losing the first-set tiebreaker to beat the world No. 1, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2. He lost to Daniil Medvedev in the final of both Rotterdam and Miami. But progress was made.

After winning his first match in Toronto, over Matteo Berrettini in straight sets, Sinner advanced to the quarterfinals via walkover, as Andy Murray withdrew due to an abdominal strain. His quarterfinal opponent was 36-year-old Gaël Monfils. The Frenchman’s relentless defense and entertainment on the court proved challenging for Sinner, but Sinner’s power pierced Monfils. The Italian won the decisive third set, 6-3, just after midnight. Sixteen hours after going to bed at 3 a.m. ET, Sinner squared off in the semifinals against American Tommy Paul, who upset Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.

Sinner faced several pressure points in the second set — most notably, a 46-shot rally at 4-2 on a Paul break-point chance, which Sinner won.

46 shots of the highest quality 😮 #NBO23 @janniksin pic.twitter.com/b1Tln7bG1C — Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 13, 2023

“These kind of rallies are quite exhausting,” Sinner said. “You can feel the legs getting heavier shot after shot. But the adrenaline and the importance of the point keeps you going.”

After getting broken while serving for the match up 5-3, Sinner remained calm. He looked toward his team, with Cahill providing encouragement. The subsequent game, Sinner broke to win the match, advancing to the final.

“I got tight when I was serving for the match, but this is tennis,” Sinner said. “I tried to forget what happened and tried to stay in the present moment. Mentally, I was ready to go for a little bit more.”

In the championship match, Sinner showcased a complete performance. He won 72 percent of his first-serve points and fired five aces. He punished his groundstrokes, putting de Minaur on the run constantly. Sinner also got creative with his shots, from a topspin lob to cheeky drop shots.

De Minaur called Sinner’s groundstrokes the hardest he’s ever faced. Sinner said that, because he wasn’t as physically strong as a kid, he needed to find a way to develop his ground-stroke speed. He spent numerous hours working on the technical aspects of ball striking.

As Sinner got physically stronger, the speed of his groundstrokes got faster.

“The combination of being fluid and flexible but also getting stronger makes you hit the ball a little bit harder,” Sinner said.

Sunday’s win was a coronation for a player knocking on the door at the signature tournaments. Now, he’s slammed it open. After sealing the National Bank Open title, Sinner looked down, as the crowd showered him with roars. He waved to the fans, before going to his team. He hugged Cahill, embracing the magnitude of this moment.

The U.S. Open is two weeks away. The site where Sinner lost in heartbreaking fashion to Alcaraz a year earlier.

Sinner now arrives at Flushing Meadows with an ATP Masters 1000 title to his name. Alcaraz has two Slams in his pocket. The rising young stars are hungry to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

With a victory in Canada, Sinner inched closer to that reality.

Milos Raonic and the drive to fight on in the shadow of the 'Big Three' era

(Photo: Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images)

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Lukas Weese is a Staff Editor of News at The Athletic. Before The Athletic, Lukas was a freelance sports journalist, working as an associate editor at Sportsnet, an OHL reporter for the Toronto Star and had bylines in outlets such as ESPN's Andscape, USA Today, Complex, Yahoo Sports, GOLF Magazine, Just Women's Sports and Raptors Republic. Lukas also does freelance play-by-play broadcasting. Follow Lukas on Twitter @ Weesesports

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Jannik Sinner shocks Novak Djokovic in thriller: ATP Finals – as it happened

A wonderful performance from Jannik Sinner saw him beat Novak Djokovic for the first time – in a brilliant match, in front of his home crowd

• 14 Nov 2023 Jannik Sinner (4) beats Novak Djokovic (1) 7-5 (5)-5-7 7-6(2)
• 14 Nov 2023 Novak Djokovic takes the second set 7-6(5)
• 14 Nov 2023 Jannik Sinner takes the first set 7-5!
• 14 Nov 2023 Preamble

That, then is us. Thanks for your company, and please do join me again tomorrow night for Daniil Medvedev v Alexander Zverev. I’ll leave you with the report of Sinner’s superb win …

I can’t state strongly enough that this was “just” a group game, but also, I can’t state strongly enough how well Sinner played. There was no drop-off, he was devastating and brave throughout, and Djokovic served like an animal. Loads of players can hang with the best at their best, for a bit; only top players can sustain that through a match. Sinner has set his level now.

So Sinner has to play Rune in his third match; Djokovic meets Hurkacz, and it can’t just be me who’s thinking oof madone, this match is going to be the final, isn’t it, and Djokovic is going to win, isn’t he? But for now, let’s just celebrate a match that, in years to come, we might look back at as a crucial staging post: the night Sinner became a bigman, the night Djokovic first looked vulnerable.

Jannik Sinner (4) beats Novak Djokovic (1) 7-5 (5)-5-7 7-6(2)

Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) (2)6-7 Sinner Djokovic gets on the board but then nets a forehand! He laughs, but he’s not really amused, because sinner has earned every ounce of the joy that’s coming his way … but as I type, he plants a forehand wide. Just the four match points remaining! And there it is! He dematerialises another overhead, he’s beaten the greatest for the first time, he’s played fantastically in so doing, and he wins a thriller in front of his home crowd! What a performance, what a match, what a feeling!

Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 6-6 Sinner (0-5) If Sinner does what he does, he’ll win from here; he’s served superbly, keeping the heid through it all. And he quickly makes 4-0, then Djokovic hooks a return wide, and this is almost did!

Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 6-6 Sinner (0-3) Djokovic nets a return and Sinner leads, then, somehow, he extends a go-go gadget arm, using every fibre of his being to stretch and guide a forehand winner, inside-out, on the return! And when Djokovic plays a timid return, Sinner passes him – again – and that’s a double mini-break! The crowd love it!

*Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 6-6 Sinner Another best of three match begins a fourth hour – Djokovic v Rune did too – and the champ, who’s served excellently this set, races to 40-0. Sinner then nets a backhand, so here comes the breaker! This has been so, so good.

Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 5-6 Sinner* Sinner nets a forehand, but a telling backhand allows a clean-up drive-volley larruped to the opposite corner. But when he skips into a backhand, it goes long, by the looks of things because he mistimes it – even though he then complains to the umpire about some kind of distraction. He makes 30-all, though, when Djokovic surprisingly fails to get his return back into play, then flat-bats a glorious forehand winner down the line! It’s almost like he calculates the physics of it as he draws back the racket! Djokovic then sends a return long, challenges, the crowd jeer, and he conducts them. He is human and he needs to be loved, just like everybody else does, and he’ll shortly serve for a breaker. I don’t want this to finish!

*Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 5-5 Sinner Another ace gives Djokovic 30-0 and another 40-0, but a forehand that drops long prevents a third consecutive love-hold. And when Sinner comes in, he’s a chance to make things interesting, but first hits to the corner Djokovic picks to defend, then nets aq volley.

Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 4-5 Sinner* It won’t just be me who half-expects Djokovic to break here; I daresay neither player would be surprised by that. And he’s bang in the first rally, until Sinner reverses momentum with a canny forehand cross-court. Next, he unleashes a weapons-grade backhand on to the back of the baseline, a netted return makes 40-0 and a return that flies long means Djokovic must shortly serve to stay in the match.

*Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 4-4 Sinner Still behind in the set, Djokovic quickly makes 30-0 with two quick points – I keep saying it, but the way he’s sneakily become one of the great servers in his mid-30s is ridiculous even by his standards. Another service-winner follows, seconds later the game is over, and we’re back level in the decider.

Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 3-4 Sinner* Ach, Djokovic steps it up – of course he does – landing a forehand on to the line that makes 15-30. But Sinner is so calm it’s a disgrace, and when a defensive lob lands near the chalk, he hooks a forehand on to the sideline then caresses another disguised drop for a winner! But another forehand is more hoik than hook, dropping wide, and Sinner faces break point – he’s yet to lose his serve in the match – again refusing to play safe when under pressure, unloading the suitcase at as many groundstrokes as necessary to force the error. On deuce, though, he shows the first sign of fatigue, lazily humping long, and again his break is under threat; this time, he nets a backhand, and after two hours 40 minutes, Djokovic finally breaks! I am absolutely loving this match and so are the crowd.

*Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 2-4 Sinner Alcaraz aside, Sinner probably looks the best of the young pretenders – though Rune has incredible potential and, if he stays fit, I’m excited to see what Jack Draper manages. But back to now, Sinner makes 15-all thanks to a fine return, then Djokovic serves, comes in … and can’t make a volley because the return is too good. And have a look! Another great return, not a winner but again at the feet and this time also on the line, raises two break points when Djokovic nets in response! The match could be here! And Sinner gets a look at a second serve, pursues it out wide, and curves a mahoosive winner cross-court! That was an incredible returning game, right when he needed it, and he’s two holds away from a first win over the greatest! Hold me!

Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 2-3 Sinner* But look at Jannik Sinner! He’s been brilliant with his overheads tonight and the one that makes 15-0 is a beauty because he’s backpeddling and if he lets it drop it’s landing near the baseline. Instead, though, he watches it on to the racket and punishes a winner, then quickly doubles his advantage. Djokovic, though, finds a magical forehand winner – he’s hitting it so hard tonight – then, when chasing a forehand to the corner that looks for all the world a winner, Sinner skids into a fantasy backhand winner down the line that again has Djokovic ostentatiously applauding. Djokovic then sends the ball fractionally wide – Sinner called it good – and that’s enough for the hold. The arena is absolutely jumping now.

*Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 2-2 Sinner Oh look at that. Djokovic hooks a forehand winner from centre that breaks the sideline and he’s enjoying this contest now, all the more so when Sinner nets for 30-0. As long as he’s serving well, he’s in the match, but it’s hard to shake the assumption, hardwired into our souls, that the champ will find a way. Shonuff he reaches 4o-15 – it’s a while since Sinner made a dent when receiving – then directs another ace down the T.

Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 1-2 Sinner* Sinner smites a backhand winner for 30-0, makes 40 with an ace, and when Djokovic nets a return, that’s the game. Both men are playing well here, and I’ve not a clue which of them is going to win.

*Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 1-1 Sinner Up 30-0, Djokovic slices an ace out wide, then when Sinner sends a return wide, he leaps into a forehand anyway, noising up the crowd even further. He’s relishing this, but Sinner is refusing to wilt.

Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) 0-1 Sinner* For the first time tonight, Sinner was a little loose in that breaker – perhaps due to nerves, perhaps due to fatigue, perhaps due to excitement, perhaps due to a mixture of all three. Or maybe it was just law of averages, a little down period after over two hours of precise tennis. Anyroad up, he now cant qualify tonight because for that he needed to win in two and down 15-30 faces a fight to hold serve. Which he does, slamming an ace out wide that Djokovic thinks was a let. He takes it up with the umpire who says she didn’t hear a noise, noting that whenever Sinner catches tape out wide, nothing, but 5-4 tiebreak when he does, let. The crowd jeer, but watching a replay I think Djokovic was right.

Novak Djokovic takes the second set 7-6(5)

Djokovic 5-7 7-6(5) Sinner Djokovic thinks he’s got it, dominating the next rally before hollering as he unleashes the 100mph forehand he thinks will level the match. But again, Sinner gets it back, the champ nets as the crowd laugh, and will now seek to close out on his own serve, a flick off the net ruining what was otherwise an ace. No matter: a serve out wide, a netted return, and that’s one set all. I cannot wait for the decider, because this is every bit as good and intense as we’d hoped. Djokovic, meanwhile, cups an ear at the stands, relishing the needle.

Djokovic 5-7 6-6 Sinner (6-4) Which Sinner immediately retrieves, taking a forehand return early and directing it into Djokovic’s tootsies; he can’t dig it out. But he can clean up after a telling serve, then Sinner goes long, and must now defend two set points…

Djokovic 5-7 6-6 Sinner (4-3) Sinner nails a return on the stretch, but even so, you don’t expect Djokovic to miss his volley, but he sends it looping wide; the crowd then go wild because they think the mini-brea’s been consolidated with an ace, but the ball was wide and at the end of a long and thrilling rally, sent wide by a really clever forehand, Sinner can only net; 3-3. This is going to come down to the odd point, and is this it?! Djokovic is making every shot now, taking care to play percentages, and going for something more, Sinner nets, handing Djokovic, who’s retrieved two mini-breaks, one of his own.

Djokovic 5-7 6-6 Sinner (2-2) Djokovic’s record in breakers, especially this term, is insane – he managed to win every one he played at Roland-Garros – but lost one 7-1 to Rune the other night, though he did then win the decisive one. Anyway, a winner earns Sinner an immediate mini-break … quickly seized back, and a leaping backhand, thwacked with terrifying power, makes 2-2.

Djokovic 5-7 6-6 Sinner* Apparently Djokovic was ostentatiously laughing when the crowd cheered a Sinner backhand they didn’t realise was out; or, in other words, he’s not enjoying this. A service winner makes 15-0, but a forehand drops just over the sideline giving the champ a sniff. Up 15-30, though, Sinner repels everything thrown at him until Djokovic, trying everything to make something happen, errs. A big serve out wide then makes 40-30 and an ace towards the same side follows … but Djokovic challenges and it’s well wide. Pressure, and Sinner floats an airy drop that’s sent back deep, we reach deuce … and another big serve helps make advantage. Then, just as we’re settling in for a long rally, Djokovic nets, and we’ve got that breaker! In almost all circumstances, I’d favour the bigger server, but it’s different against the goat.

*Djokovic 5-7 6-5 Sinner Down 15-0, Sinner has a chance to pass, hitting a backhand down the line … and just wide. An ace out wide follows, a mistimed return flies long … no it doesn’t, a challenge revealing that the ball’s outermost fibres landed on the baseline, halting a run of 11 straight service points for Djokovic. But a shanked forehand means Sinner must now serve to stay in the set, and I’m already fantasising about how good a breaker might be.

Djokovic 5-7 5-5 Sinner* Sinner makes 15-0, then detonates an ace down the T and another out wide, before Djokovic goes long. His serve has looked impregnable in this set.

“Didn’t there used to be a reserve who came in to replace anyone who pulled out injured?” wonders Richard Hirst. “Presumably that stopped.”

It did not, I’m just old; Hubie Hurkacz has replaced Tsitsipas.

*Djokovic 5-7 5-4 Sinner It feels like a while since Djokovic held easily and he gets to 0-40 here which is, of course, the most dangerous score. But this time he cleans up easily, and agai, Sinner must serve at 4-5 to stay in a set.

Djokovic 5-7 4-4 Sinner* This by far the best I’ve seen Sinner play, and he spanks a forehand winner, inside-out, for 15-0 … then goes wide for 15-all. No matter, he’s soon hitting a clean-up forehand for 40-15, Djokovic suggesting the serve was out and, as the crowd boo, he encourages them. He’s so misunderstood! Sinner duly sees out the game, the crowd sing his name, and this is getting tense.

*Djokovic 5-7 4-3 Sinner Sinner’s making waves almost every time Djokovic serves now, but a forehand that drops long is followed by an ace for 15-all. It’s soon 15-30 though, the champ straying wide – he can’t get any consistency into his game; Sinner won’t let him get any consistency into his game. But a forehand winner backing up a fine second serve down the T takes him to within a point of a hold, and a service-winner out wide seals the deal.

Djokovic 5-7 3-3 Sinner* Sinner goes long to hand over 0-15, but Djokovic can’t get his next return into court then, at the net and from well below it’s level, Sinner finds a lovely sliced volley, executed with perfect disguise. An ace follows and he’s still playing all the tennis here, but of course Djokovic opens shoulders to punish a forehand winner down the line; I reckon that’s the hardest he’s hit it so far this evening; 40-30. And ohhhhh, look at that, a backhand return on to the paint, just the second time he’s hit a winner off a first serve, for all the difference it makes. Sinner’s doing a really good job of hitting first deliveries to the forehand, and he does it again, twice, to secure a massive hold.

*Djokovic 5-7 3-2 Sinner Djokovic gets to 30-0 but then Sinner skids along the baseline to spirit a delicious backhand winner down the line; Djokovic responds with an ace but then nets a volley, and all the best gear is being played by the Italian. But he picks wrong receiving at 40-30, moving forehand as the ball whizzes backhand and that’s the game closed out with its second ace.

*Djokovic 5-7 2-2 Sinner I’m sure I’m missing loads, but this feels like the highest-quality contest I’ve seen in the men’s game since the Wimbledon final and French semi. Sinner is playing close to his best, and to win from here, Djokovic might have to get close to his. And as I type, an overhead gives him 0-15, then Sinner narrowly misses with a forehand and here comes pressure. Which he wears beautifully, making a ridiculous angle from wide to send a forehand winner cross-court that breaks the sideline; Djokovic, who was near it but could get nowhere near it, can only applaud. And when he goes long on the forehand, Sinner has passed half the test and I bet an ace is coming … yup, there it is down the middle! But a backhand pulled wide means deuce … and another ace, then a monstered overhead! Jannik Sinner is forreal!

Djokovic 5-7 2-1 Sinner* And again! Sinner opens the game with another glorious winner, this time an inside-out backhand that lands on the sideline, but Djokovic quickly makes 30-15, then curls an ace on to the T … and slaps another down the middle before nipping off for a slash at change of ends. It can happen at his age, chortles the 44-year-old of the 36-year-old.

Djokovic 5-7 1-1 Sinner* Djokovic is finding it hard to hit with his usual precision, perhaps because sinner’s easy power is so difficult to handle. But just as I type that, he hits a forehand wide, handing over 30-all … but Djokovic nets his next return, then two overheads see him home in the game. There’s a calm about him out there, like he knows he’s ready.

*Djokovic 5-7 1-0 Sinner Ooooh yeah! Sinner is hitting it like God here, and a forehand winner down the line puts him up 0-15; is Djokovic tottering? Er, what do you think, dear reader? He’s soon at 30-15, then a lovely volley has him holding the pose like Jonny Bairstow after a cover-drive, and from there he closes out a crucial hold.

“The way Djokovic plays,” explains Coach Calv, “he leaves low % shots for the opponent to go for. Sometimes they make them.”

Trudat – though Sinner’s serving, volleying and forehand have been great.

Jannik Sinner takes the first set 7-5!

Djokovic 5-7 Sinner* Djokovic nets a backhand, then a booming serve and forehand force a defensive lob … which drops long. 30-0, and this is superb stuff from Sinner, who really believes he can do this. All the more so when Djokovic nets a return, but as we know, it’s not easy closing out from 40-0, the crowd roaring when they think he’s landed an ace, but it’s called wide and the champ looks distracted by the noise. AND WHEN DJOKOVIC NETS ANOTHER FOREHAND, THAT’S THE SET TO SINNER! He’s played so well so far – he’s not winning because he’s hit a ludicrous purple patch, he’s winning because he’s mixed power, solidity and composure like it’s just what he does. All in all, a great set (of tennis).

*Djokovic 5-6 Sinner Brilliant from Djokovic, racing to 40-0 … whereupon Sinner flows a backhand return down the line and on to the line for a clean winner. Then, when Djokovic doesn’t do enough with a volley, he’s caught at the net and quickly passed. AND HAVE A LOOK! From deep in court, Sinner ups the velocity with a pair of forehands, creams a winner down the line, and makes deuce! NOW THEN! Djokovic doubles, the partisan crowd cheer, he sarcastically applauds them, Sinner lands a gorgeous backhand return on to the baseline … then absolutely monsters another that’s too good! From 40-0 up, Djokovic is broken, and didn’t then youngster earn that! After change of ends, he’ll serve for the first set!

Djokovic 5-5 Sinner* A serve out wide, a return into the net; 15-0. But then a netted forehand and a netted volley coming in – he should’ve put that away – leaves Djokovic two points away from the set. But though he lands a forehand return on to the line, he then errs and that’s all the invitation Sinner needs, two big first serves levelling the match again.

*Djokovic 5-4 Sinner As yet, I’ve been unable to find a full-length shot of Djokovic, who’s wearing a bottle green top with line green stripes, bottle green shorts, white socks, lime green trainers, a line green sweatband and a white sweatband. Which is to say it’s a total mess – unlike this service game, featuring an ace, a service-winner, and a hold to love. So the pressure ratchets up, Sinner about to serve to stay in the set.

Djokovic 4-4 Sinner* Sinner looks a different cat these days – he’s so confident in himself now and he races to 30-0 before a shanked forehand gives Djokovic a glimmer. An ace follows, then Djokovic goes wide with a forehand, and this has got 7-6 6-7 7-6 written all over it.

*Djokovic 4-3 Sinner Up 15-0, Djokovic swipes a backhand wide, then shovels another to similar area, and in a match of few chances, this counts as one. But Djokovic dictates the next rally, finishing it with a forehand down the line. However! Sinner finds a decent return then a decent backhand and Djokovic nets on the forehand, so here comes break point … quickly extinguished via service winner. From there, he closes out, and it would also be classic him to break next game after fending off Sinner here. “Some of the best ball-striking i’ve ever seen,” says Henman of both men from courtside.

Djokovic 3-3 Sinner* With plenty of time to plan a shot at the net, Sinner snatches and slams a backhand long, but then backs away towards the backhand side to send a forehand to the opposite corner fior a clean winner. That’s a great shot, but at 30-15, he goes long, and it would be so Djokovic to break here, having been unable to threaten previously; we wind up at deuce, and both men know what it means if Sinner can’t hold the first time a little pressure is applied. Yeah. A long rally, both players hitting it beautifully, then Sinner chucks in a surprise drop that looks inspired … until Djokovic not only runs it down, but from the backhand side, somehow conjures an angle to get the ball across the face of the net for a winner. Yeah. So Sinner powers down an ace then an unreturnable serve, and this time when he lays a drop, he reads the cross-court riposte and is there to send another winner into the empty space. The crowd love it and rightly so: this is shaping up.

*Djokovic 3-2 Sinner A fair backhand return, a netted drop; Sinner is up 0-15, ahead when receiving for the first time. And when he swipes a backhand cross-court, he’s a chance of a pass when sent a volley to the forehand corner. But Djokovic reads he’s going line and this time does stick away a winner before sealing the game with an ace sliced out wide. So far, this is the highest-standard match I’ve seen so far this week.

Djokovic 2-2 Sinner* Sinner kicks off the game with an ace … and another ace. He’s serving superbly, and as I type he clobbers a third down the middle! Another biggun into the T almost secures the game, but Djokovic sends it back on the stretch then lasts longer in a brutal rally before an inside-out forehand winner gives him 40-30. He hit that so hard and a game seemingly over is now in the balance … for as long as it takes Djokovic to go long on the backhand.

*Djokovic 2-1 Sinner Lovely from Djokovic, a serve into the corner, a volley into the opposite corner and, when Sinner chases it down to pass, another volley, this time on the stretch and for a winner. 30-0 soon follows, then an ace for 40 and a service winner for game. Three in the books and I’m not sure we’ve seen a competitive point yet.

Djokovic 1-1 Sinner* Sinner starts well too, the crowd cheering his every point as he races to 40-0 with two unreturned serves of his own … before sealing the game with an ace. If he keeps that up, he’ll be competitive tonight – at the very least.

*Djokovic 1-0 Sinner (*denotes server) Sinner’s improved a lot this year, attacking more and volleying better. But two service winners and a two netted returns give Djokovic a love-hold, and if the young pretender wanted to receive so he could settle, he hasn’t because he couldn’t get a ball back into play.

The players are ready and … play.

Sinner wins the toss and elects to receive. Does he want to put pressure on Djokovic, or is he nervous, wanting to settle into the match before he’s under any pressure?

Here come our players!

Ahahahaha! It’s now easier to list records Djokovic hasn’t broken, rather than those he has.

Greg Rusedski thinks Sinner will want long points to tire Djokovic out. Now, of course he knows slightly more about tennis than me, but i see that the other way around. The longer points go, the more they favour Djokovic, who I just don’t think will gas over a best of three, indoors, at night, in November.

There are people in the crowd dressed up as carrots; I think this is because Sinner is ginger, but I could be wrong.

“I think Sinner is good but he’s one dimensional,” messages our resident coach, Calvin Betto n. “Similar to Rune v Djokovic, Sinner can hit through him, but he hits less flat and with more shape than Rune, which Djok prefers.”

It’s been a really fun tournament so far. Daniil Medvedev looked great last evening, Rune is in form too, and Djokovic is just so good at doing whatever the situation demands. Oh, and Alexander Zverev looked great in beating Carlos Alcaraz yesterday; he meets Medvedev tomorrow night, with Alcaraz facing Rublev in the afternoon.

I’m interested to see how Sinner handles a partisan home crowd. Northern Italians – those close to the Austrian border – are stereotyped as calm dudes, the opposite of how the rest of Italy sees itself, and Sinner lives up to that. So, does he seek to shut out the crowd, or can he use its energy to fire his performance?

Obviously we don’t yet know if Tsitsipas will return for his final match, but given it’s against Djokovic, and given he lost his first one to Sinner, we can probably assume he’s out. And if the three other group-members all have wins over him, what’ll matter is what happens when they play each other. If Djokovic wins tonight, he’s almost definitely through, in which case Rune v Sinner will decide who comes with him.

Earlier today:

I’m looking forward to this one; who isn’t looking forward to this one; how not to look forward to this one?

It’s a weird thing really, because despite our anticipation, we know what’s likely to happen: Novak Djokovic finds a way to win. But that’s how it is with dominant champions: we tune in to marvel at their magnificence, but also, we tune in hoping to see them take a doing.

And we can make a case for Jannik Sinner to make that happen. He’s playing in front of his home crowd, he’s in form, and he’s one of very few who can hit through Djokovic.

Sounds simple, right? Except, of course, we know in advance that it isn’t. Djokovic has the skills and smarts to keep Sinner moving so he can’t unleash, and makes so many balls that eventually his opponent makes a mistake. But an upset remains plausible, and even if it doesn’t work out that way, there’s every chance of another fun, intense and close match.

Play: 9pm local, 8pm GMT

• Novak Djokovic

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TOURNAMENT RESULTS

{{tournament.sponsortitle}}, player results, sinner earns opening win in turin.

Jannik Sinner made a winning start to his Nitto ATP Finals campaign on Sunday when he downed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 to delight the Italian fans inside the Pala Alpitour.

The 22-year-old Italian was dialled in from the outset at the prestigious year-end event in Turin, striking his flat groundstrokes cleanly to rush the Greek. Sinner hit through the court, blasted 22 winners and successfully targeted Tsitsipas' backhand to earn his 58th win of the season after one hour and 25 minutes.

"I was excited to step on court and opening the Finals is really, really special," Sinner said. "I knew it was going to be very tough but I think I handled the situation well. I tried to stay aggressive and I am very happy with the performance. I am happy to start off with a win and hopefully I can continue with this intensity."

Sinner competed as an alternate in Turin in 2021, before he qualified for the eight-man tournament for the first time this year. It is just the third time an Italian player has won a singles match at the event, after Matteo Berrettini defeated Dominic Thiem in 2019 and Sinner beat Hubert Hurkacz in 2021.

"It is a special week," Sinner said. "We play under a roof, so it is nosier and playing with this crowd is such a special feeling. I tried to be really happy on the court and really focused."

The World No. 4 now holds a 3-5 record in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, while he is 1-0 in Green Group action. Six-time champion Novak Djokovic and Dane Holger Rune are also in Green Group and face off this evening in Italy.

Sinner arrived in Turin off the back of a standout year. He has won four tour-level trophies in 2023, including his maiden ATP Masters 1000 crown in Toronto.

With expectations raised, Sinner quickly delivered inside a packed Pala Alpitour. He earned the decisive break of the first set in the fifth game of the first set to lead, while he won 84 per cent (16/19) of his first-serve points in the opener.

Sinner then gained further control at the start of the second set, breaking in the first game when Tsitsipas could only find the net with a backhand. The Italian looked smooth on serve and relaxed on his groundstrokes, sealing victory on his first match point.

Clinical start from @janniksin 🦊 Sinner won 💯% of 1st Serve points when he targeted the Tsitsipas backhand🎯 By hitting his spots, Sinner was able to set up many attacking opportunities, and he was VERY clinical 👏 #ConversionScore calculates the percentage of points won… pic.twitter.com/hGzw1bzFFI — Tennis Insights (@tennis_insights) November 12, 2023

Tsitsipas has fond memories at the Nitto ATP Finals , having won the trophy on debut in 2019. The World No. 6, who is making his fifth appearance at the event, struggled to trouble Sinner in the opening match of this year’s edition, though, falling to 51-23 on the season.

"I would like to congratulate Jannik on a very good match, a great performance from start to finish," Tsitsipas said. "He showed good strength, very responsible play from the beginning of the match, from the very first point.

"He was attacking a lot, serving really well, kept his composure in those crucial moments that were a few today. He kept it quite clean and didn't get too affected by any situation that came his way."

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Tuesday Schedule Released: Djokovic vs. Sinner At Night

Day 1 winners Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner will continue their Nitto ATP Finals title quests when they clash on Tuesday evening in Turin. Stefanos Tsitsipas will face Holger Rune in the afternoon session.

ORDER OF PLAY – TUESDAY 14 NOVEMBER

Afternoon Session (4) Santiago Gonzalez/Edouard Roger-Vasselin vs. (7) Maximo Gonzalez/Andres Molteni (6) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. (8) Holger Rune

Evening Session (1) Ivan Dodig/Austin Krajicek vs. (5) Marcel Granollers/Horacio Zeballos (1) Novak Djokovic vs. (4) Jannik Sinner

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Jannik Sinner makes ‘exciting’ announcement as he adds new tournament to his 2024 schedule

Jannik Sinner has squeezed an extra tournament into his busy schedule as will use the event as preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The reigning world No 2 has added the Swedish Open to his 2024 calendar with the clay-court event taking place just a couple of weeks before the Paris Games at Roland Garros.

Players traditionally take a week or two off after Wimbledon, but the Italian has confirmed his participation in the “amazing event”.

There will barely been any time to rest as the event gets underway one day after the final at the All England Club.

READ MORE: Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner’s 2024 tennis schedule: Italian makes tweak to his calendar

“Hey guys, Jannik here. I am very excited to announce that I will be playing in Båstad this year and I am looking forward to it. Everyone tells me that it is an amazing event.

“For me the first time this year so hope to see you guys out there.”

Ciao Jannik Sinner! We are very happy that the world number two, and reigning Australian Open champion, is coming to Båstad and Nordea Open this summer. Make sure to secure your tickets to the highlight of the summer #nordeaopen #båstad #tennis #atp @atptour pic.twitter.com/Wlo2QKtz9J — Nordea Open (@NordeaOpen) April 18, 2024

A deep run at Wimbledon could see Sinner opt to skip the event, but given it is an Olympic year he will most likely follow through and compete.

It is a tweak to his calendar from last year as he took an extended break after he reached the semi-final at Wimbledon and it proved to be a good decision as he went on to win his first tournament after the major as he lifted his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open.

But the Olympics is a priority for most players this year and Sinner will be keen to steer Italy to another trophy following his heroics at last year’s Davis Cup when he helped his country win their first title since 1976.

The 22-year-old, who has already won three titles this year as he lifted trophies at the Australian Open, Rotterdam Open and the Miami Open, is the first big-name player to sign up for the ATP 250 tournament in Båstad, but more could follow suit as many will be keen to get some matches on clay ahead of the Paris Games, which runs from July 27 to August 4.

Andrey Rublev is the defending champion as he defeated Casper Ruud in last year’s final while fellow top-10 star Alexander Zverev also competed.

Jannik Sinner vs. Holger Rune Prediction - ATP World Tour Finals 2023

Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune will lock horns in the ATP World Tour Finals 2023 event on Thursday.

Dimers' full betting preview for Thursday's Sinner vs. Rune match includes the latest betting odds, as well as our predictions and best bets.

To make the most of today's Jannik Sinner vs. Holger Rune betting analysis, check out the best sportsbook promos currently available in your state.

Who Will Win: Sinner vs. Rune

Using state-of-the-art computer power and data, Dimers.com has simulated the outcome of Thursday's Sinner-Rune men's singles match 10,000 times.

Dimers' famous predictive analytics model, DimersBOT, gives Sinner a 75% chance of winning against Rune at the ATP World Tour Finals 2023 tournament.

More : Get the latest Tennis predictions

Jannik Sinner vs. Holger Rune Odds

We have researched the best betting odds in America for this match, which are listed here:

Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

Unibet currently has the best moneyline odds for Sinner at -233 . That means you can risk $233 to win $100, for a total payout of $333, if he gets the W.

On the other hand, Unibet also has the best moneyline odds for Rune at +188 , where you can bet $100 to profit $188, earning a total payout of $288, if he wins.

blank">Unibet currently has the best odds for Sinner to win the first set at -185 , while " target="_blank">Unibet also has the best odds for Rune to win the first set at +150 .

As always, make sure you check all of the sportbooks available in your state for the best tennis odds in the USA.

Best Bets: Sinner vs. Rune

By comparing our predictions to the odds listed above, we have identified the best bets to make on this match:

• Moneyline: Sinner @ -233 via Unibet (75% probability) 🔥
• First Set: Sinner @ -185 via Unibet (70% probability) 🔥

Every time you see a 🔥 , that means you've found one of our best bets today across any sport.

Our best Tennis bets are based on complex simulations and gambling intelligence to bring you the best possible plays every time.

Sinner vs. Rune Prediction

Click or tap on See Matchup for more information on Jannik Sinner vs. Holger Rune .

Dimers has full coverage of Jannik Sinner vs. Holger Rune , including pre-match predictions, betting picks, and live in-play probabilities.

Don't forget, DimersBOT updates frequently, so keep an eye on this article for the latest betting analysis before Sinner vs. Rune at the ATP World Tour Finals 2023 event.

Sinner vs. Rune Preview

The ATP World Tour Finals 2023 match between Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune is scheduled to start on Thursday at 3:00PM ET.

• Who: Jannik Sinner vs. Holger Rune
• Date: Thursday November 16, 2023
• Approx. Time: 3:00PM ET / 12:00PM PT
• Tournament: ATP World Tour Finals Men's Singles 2023

All dates and times mentioned in this article are United States Eastern Time unless otherwise stated.

How to Bet on Sinner vs. Rune

Want to join an online sportsbook and start betting on Tennis in the United States? Check out the top sports betting sign-up offers in your state.

This detailed betting preview features our Sinner vs. Rune prediction and Tennis odds.

Dimers' picks are made after 10,000 simulations per match, using reliable and up-to-date data sources and analytical methods.

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Rafael Nadal endorses arch-rival Novak Djokovic's "amazing" feat against youngsters; dismisses impact of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz's rise

R afael Nadal recently praised his arch-rival Novak Djokovic for his performance against younger players on the ATP Tour. He also downplayed the impact players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have on players from his generation

Nadal is currently peparing to kick off his campaign at the 2024 Madrid Open. He has won the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid tournament a record five times, with his last title win coming in 2017. This year, the Spaniard will commence his campaign by taking on American Darwin Blanch in the first round.

Speaking to Tennis TV , during a pre-tournament media appearance, Rafael Nadal was asked about the increasing level of competition in tennis, particularly with rising stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. In response, the former World No.1 dismissed the notion, pointing out that players from his generation, like Novak Djokovic, are still dominating the younger players on the ATP Tour.

Nadal commended Djokovic's exceptional 2023 season, where he won the Australian Open, French Open, and the US Open, and made it to the final of the Wimbledon Championships.

I don't know, no idea. Of course, they are an amazing players, but at the same time, if we put in perspective that, Novak Djokovic, won three or four grand slams and played the final on another one. I mean, he is from my generation. So of course, they're doing amazing things," he said.

Rafael Nadal emphasized that while new champions may be emerging in tennis, the dynamics of the game have not shifted significantly, as players from his era continue to compete fiercely with the younger generation.

"But on the other hand, a player from, my generation and similar, I mean, of course, a little bit better numbers but similar, level than the level that we played, for a long time, still having a lot of success. So that says that tennis, have an amazing new champions, but at the same time, things haven't changed that much," he added.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic recently attended Laureus Sports Awards 2024

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic recently attended the 2024 Laureus Sports Awards held in Madrid, Spain. The 25th edition of the event took place at the Palacio de Cibeles on Monday, April 22.

Nadal and his wife Maria Francisca Perello, received the Sport for Good Award from the Laureus World Sports Academy in recognition of their work through the Spaniards foundation. This foundation was honored for its impactful work in supporting vulnerable youth in both Spain and India.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic won the 2024 Laureus Sportsman of the Year award for his exceptional 2023 season, where he won three out of the four Grand Slam tournaments, secured the ATP Finals title, and concluded the year as the World No.1. The Serb overcame other top athletes such as Lionel Messi , Erling Haaland, Mondo Duplantis, Noah Lyles, and Max Verstappen, who were also contenders in the same category

Dutch wheelchair tennis player Diede de Groot was awarded the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award.

Other tennis players nominated for the Laureus Sports Awards were Iga Swiatek , who was a contender in the Sportswoman of the Year category, and Coco Gauff, who was nominated in the Breakthrough of the Year category. Marketa Vondrousova also received a nomination in the Comeback of the Year category.