ATP Finals 2023 in Turin: Novak Djokovic breezes past Jannik Sinner for record seventh title in season-ending event
World number one Djokovic retained his crown in fine style, winning 6-3, 6-3 to avenge his group phase defeat to the home favourite.
Tennis
Novak Djokovic won the ATP Finals for a record seventh time on Sunday (19 November), defeating Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-3 in Turin's Pala Alpitour.
The Serbian's latest triumph saw him break his tie with Roger Federer for most victories in the season-ending event.
Having struggled to handle Sinner’s serve in their group meeting, Djokovic looked far sharper on this occasion.
Meanwhile, the 22-year-old home favourite was showing signs of nerves which his opponent did not hesitate to exploit.
In the fourth game, the year-end world number one forced him into errors and broke for a 3-1 lead.
On serve, Djokovic was breezing through games in quick time – serving seven aces to Sinner’s three – as he closed out the opening set in just 39 minutes.
Sinner looked in trouble when he went 0-30 on serve right at the start of the second half.
In the middle of the next rally, he stopped play to unsuccessfully challenge a Djokovic shot on the baseline which was called in.
Then he sent a sliced backhand long to make it two break point conversions out of two for Djokovic who had one hand on the trophy once more.
The Italian was under pressure again in his next service game but saved three break points to hold for 1-3, pumping his fist to get the crowd going.
And suddenly the reigning champion, who had conceded just two points previously on serve, appeared human.
A rare forehand error handed Sinner two break points, but two big first serves saw Djokovic survive before he went into a 4-2 lead.
Despite starting to make unforced errors, including a couple of glaring misses on volleys, Djokovic was able to stay in front.
He managed to bring up match point on Sinner's serve at 3-5, and a double fault saw the match end on a slightly anti-climactic note as Djokovic secured his 98th ATP Tour title.
He is also the first world number one to win the event since Andy Murray back in 2016.
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