Novak Djokovic defeated Hubert Hurkacz in his final round-robin match at the ATP Finals but must wait to see if he qualifies for the last four.
That’s all folks. Thanks for reading today and see you again soon. Goodbye.
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Here’s a piece on Holger Rune, by Hannah Jane Parkinson, from before the event. Can the tutelage of Boris Becker see him into the semis?
So I guess Djokovic will head off for a pizza and a few pints of Carling Black Label, and hope for the best. Sinner and Rune will be on court at around 8pm UK time.
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Djokovic didn’t look happy at the end, and I’ll take a wild guess that’s down to a combination of two factors: 1) His place in the last four is out of his hands, despite today’s win over Hurkacz and 2) The fans were cheering for his opponent throughout.
It didn’t really come across in the Amazon Prime coverage that the fans were getting on Djokovic’s back, to be honest, but the commentators thought it was out of order. All down to the sound mix, I suppose.
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Over in India, the cricket is closer than you might think, after South Africa posted 210 for Australia to chase:
We’ll have a match report coming up faster than it takes Novak Djokovic to get annoyed with an on-court interviewer. OK, maybe not quite that fast.
Here’s a video from last night and Medvedev’s win against Zverev:
Anyway, permutations-wise, if Rune beats Sinner tonight (in either two or three sets – it doesn’t matter) then Djokovic is out, Sinner and Rune are through.
Djokovic may wonder if Sinner is going to be fully motivated to beat Rune, if losing means avoiding Djokovic later on.
The permutations are here on the ATP Finals official site.
I’m confused as to why Amazon Prime Video didn’t show Djokovic’s on-court interview. Some weird rights thing, or have they fallen out with the organisers?
Djokovic speaks to Amazon Prime Video. Was he upset during that match? He shoots the interviewer a dirty look.
“Why was I upset? For what? I lost the set, so … it’s normal.”
Next question: How do you reflect on the match?
“Good win, good win.”
“OK, cheers,” says the interviewer.
And that’s the end of the interview. Amusing.
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For tonight, Djokovic needs Jannik Sinner to beat Holger Rune if he is to progress to the semi-finals.
Now Tim Henman is chipping into the permutations confusion and saying Djokovic would have been out had Hurkacz won the third set, but that isn’t correct.
Djokovic just did an on-court interview, but Amazon Prime Video opted not to show it! They’ve been doing pundit stuff instead. How strange. Maybe they’ll show it in a second …
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Djokovic beats Hurkacz! 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1 Hurkacz
Djokovic is really leaning into the ball now and shaping his shots around the court with trademark precision. As I type, he fluffs a shot at the net and the crowd wails, but he’s still in it at 30-30. Hurkacz unsuccessfully challenges a baseline call and it’s match point … and that’s it when the Pole finds the net from the back of the court!
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*Djokovic 7-6(1) 4-6, 5-1 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
At 0-30 Hurkacz is teetering, but he drags it back to 15-30, and pumps his first accordingly. Djokovic sets up two break points, but Hurkacz cancels them out with two booming aces, then one out wide makes it advantage. However, the Serb comes roaring back with two points of his own, and then wears Hurkacz down on the next, eventually, on another break point. The Pole hits wide, and berates himself, but the reality is it’s 5-1 and nearly all done.
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Djokovic 7-6(1) 4-6, 4-1 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
Djoko coughs up a single point on his way to an easy hold. He whips a forehand to the corner to seal the game that Hurkacz can only stand and admire. Djokovic is two games away from a win, but he still won’t be assured of progress until the result of Sinner v Rune is confirmed.
*Djokovic 7-6(1) 4-6, 3-1 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
A wonderful exchange from the baseline is won by Djokovic for 15-40. Hurkacz produces a booming, swerving serve for 30-40 … but then he hits long, and the Serb has the break in the third and final set! Game over, effectively?
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Djokovic 7-6(1) 4-6, 2-1 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
A straightforward hold for the Serb and world No 1. Hurkacz, by the way, has served 20 aces. The players are having a drink and a nice sit down.
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*Djokovic 7-6(1) 4-6, 1-1 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
All square in the final set. But it seems that no matter what happens in this final set, Djokovic still needs Sinner to beat Rune tonight, otherwise he is out. There is considerable confusion among the Amazon Prime team about the permutations. But, basically, we are now watching a meaningless final set in terms of the make-up of the last four.
Djokovic 7-6(1) 4-6, 1-0 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
Djokovic holds easily, first up, to begin the deciding set. The permutations are simple, says Robbie Koenig: Djokovic needs Sinner to beat Rune tonight to go through to the last four.
Sinner is indeed through to the semi-finals due to Hurkacz winning that set. And he’s the first Italian to reach the last four of the ATP Finals.
1 - Jannik Sinner has become first Italian to make the semi-finals of the ATP Finals. Champ. #NittoATPFinals | @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/gasfexH10a
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) November 16, 2023
“If Hurkacz wins a set, I think Sinner is through to the semis,” says Rusedski. But he’s not sure. Neither is Mark Petchey: “If that is true I hope they show a lot of love to Novak in this final set, if that was the sole reason for it,” he says of the Hurkacz-love that was emanating from the crowd.
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Hurkacz win the second set v Djokovic! 7-6(1) 4-6
A double fault from Hurkacz after a confident opening winner, and it’s 15-15. A vicious spinning, bouncing second serve is unreturned by tennis’s best-ever returner, and a huge first serve next up makes it 40-15 and two set points. Djokovic returns a second serve with interest, Hurkacz gets it back, but the Serb hits long and it’s the second set for the Pole!
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Djokovic 7-6(1) 4-5 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
At 30-30, Djokovic produces a textbook combination of a wide serve followed up by an angled winner to the open court. He then produces more or less a mirror image on the next point and seals the game … the players sit down for a drink. Hurkacz can serve for the second set.
On commentary, they were just complaining about the anti-Djokovic sentiment that seems to be bubbling up in the crowd. I think I’d argue they’ve paid their money and are allowed to support whoever they like?
*Djokovic 7-6(1) 3-5 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
A double fault and then a careless error by Hurkacz, a backhand into the net, gives Djokovic two break-back points at 15-40. Hurkacz saves one with a familiar ace down the middle. And he does it again! Cracking stuff … deuce. The Pole then goes out wide for a third ace on the spin … and he comes to the net and smashes his way emphatically to the game, having saved two break points!
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Djokovic 7-6(1) 3-4 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
Djokovic, remarkably, had gone for nearly 14 minutes without winning a point. He stops the rot with a forehand volley. A classy ace down the middle makes it 40-15 but Djokovic then slams a forehand just wide for 40-30. He finishes the game with a controlled volley, coming to the net. You sense Hurkacz doesn’t fancy another tiebreak … can he hold serve, twice, and force a deciding set? The in-house DJ pumps out a tune while Djokovic sits, motionless and expressionless, no doubt formulating a plan of attack for Hurkacz’s next service game.
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*Djokovic 7-6(1) 2-4 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
A powerful wrong-footer whipped to the corner by Hurkacz brings up 40-0. And a looping serve down the middle flies off the frame of Djokovic’s racket, and that’s 4-2, Hurkacz backing up the break with a comfortable hold.
Djokovic 7-6(1) 2-3 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
Hurkacz shows another glimpse of the dominant force he can be with a bullying point, smashing for 0-30 after a well-constructed rally. He then belts a powerful, uncompromising backhand return that Djokovic can only dribble into the net. And Hurkacz seals the break when Djokovic double faults! The crowd are getting behind the Pole. Djokovic has what looks like a bad-tempered exchange with his team.
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*Djokovic 7-6(1) 2-2 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is distracted by some flash photography in the crowd, but it’s academic, because Hurkacz quickly closes out a love hold. The crowd chant “Hubi! Hubi!”
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Djokovic 7-6(1) 2-1 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
A sumptuous lob by Djokovic brings up 40-15. Hurkacz jumps but then opts to leave it, and then claps immediately as he realises it’s dropped in. Djokovic wastes no time in clinching the game. Time for a quick drink (the players, not me).
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*Djokovic 7-6(1) 1-1 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
Hubi levels it up in the second set. It’s good that he hasn’t crumbled completely after a limp showing in the tiebreak, anyway.
Over on X, Vladivar reckons that if Djokovic wins in two he’s through to the last four. Maths has never been my strong point so I’m going to stay out of it for now.
In shortest:
— Vladivar 🐊 (@vtrenkic) November 15, 2023
If @DjokerNole wins in 2 against Hurkacz, he is definitely through to the SF (due to at least games won %).
With any other result, he can qualify only and only if Sinner beats Rune.@ozmo_sasa @Yolitatennis@marioboc17@GregRusedski1@RobKoenigTennis
Djokovic 7-6(1) 1-0 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
A delightful volley closes out the first game of the second set for the Serb.
Djokovic wins the first set v Hurkacz! 7-6(1)
A mini-break comes immediately for Djokovic … then a poor volley from Hurkacz allows his opponent an easy task in passing for 2-0. Hurkacz tries to run down a brilliant, deep stroke to the corner next up from the Serb and he gets there, but he can only hit it long. That’s 3-0. Hurkacz pats a forehand limply into the net for 4-0, then on the next point, his forehand flicks off the net and bounces long for 5-0. This is some anti-climax after a competitive first set. Djokovic moves to the verge of the first set at 6-0 but Hurkacz finally gets on the board … but another trademark return from the Serb seals the first set. Very disappointing, all told, from Hurkacz in that tiebreaker. Business time for Djokovic, on the other hand.
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Djokovic 6-6 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
At 15-0, Hurkacz thinks about a challenge when he is adjudged to have hit long. He opts against it, but the replay seems to indicate that the ball was indeed in. I’m not sure if their microphones are broken, but the commentators are silent through all of this. Djokovic closes it out from 30-0 and it’s a tiebreak.
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*Djokovic 5-6 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
“This feels like perfection to me, I don’t think you can serve any better than this,” says Mark Petchey, on commentary, of Hurkacz’s efforts … “He’s serving against the greatest returner of all time.”
His fellow commentator Robbie Koenig isn’t having it, although he does concede Hurkacz is serving well. “Let’s start out own podcast up,” suggests Petchey.
No, please don’t do that. Anyway – Djokovic must serve to force a tiebreak.
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Djokovic 5-5 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
Hurkacz winds up a big forehand down the line on the second point, and he challenges the call when it lands fractionally wide. No luck this time – and that’s 30-0 to Djokovic. The Serb gives Hurkacz the runaround next up and earns himself three points to bring it back to 5-5 … and he closes out the game easily.
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*Djokovic 4-5 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
At 40-15, Hurkacz aims for a decisive winner down the line but veers narrowly wide … no bother, he cracks a massive unreturnable serve out wide to edge back in front in the first. Djokovic sits down for a drink and seems to be having a conference with his team, who are sitting on the other side of the court. Djokovic shakes his head over something or other. Can Hurkacz grab this first set?
Hurkacz currently has an ace percentage of over 50% on first serve.
Djokovic 4-4 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
Hurkacz, impressively, bullies Djokovic out of the protracted second point of the game to make it 15-15. The Pole dumps a forehand into the next point, though, and then hits long from behind the baseline, and suddenly it’s 40-15. Hurkacz hits long again, and it’s all square in the first. Work to do for Djokovic, anyway.
*Djokovic 3-4 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
At 40-15, Djokovic digs out an unlikely return off Hurkacz’s first serve and slowly wrestles control of the point in trademark fashion with some remarkably tenacious hitting. Thus he forces the score back to 40-30, but Hurkacz isn’t fazed, and spanks a big ace down the middle to make it 4-3 in the first set. Tiebreak incoming? Looks that way.
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Djokovic 3-3 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
Djokovic seals a love hold with a resounding ace out wide. That was easily the fastest game we’ve had in the first set, no chance for Hurkacz to get close to the Djokovic serve there.
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*Djokovic 2-3 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
“Could Hurkacz qualify for the semis if he beats Djokovic and Rune loses (to Sinner)?” asks Peter Pluddemann on email. “That would leave three players with 1 win each.”
According to this, on the official site, the only thing Hurkacz is playing for is ranking points, not to mention the prestige of beating the world No 1. In other words, tournament rules prevent an alternate who’s only played once from qualifying for the last four.
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Djokovic 2-2 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
Textbook from Djokovic first up, serving down the middle then going inside-out with a forehand to the open court. Another serve down the middle – 30-0 – then a drop volley at the net by Djokovic which must have come off the frame of his racket, because he holds his hand up in apology to his opponent.
Hurkacz gets on the board with an imperious forehand pass, the kind of shot he can play in his sleep when he’s firing, and then Djokovic errs into the net make it 40-30. Hurkacz comes to the net next up and clips a beautiful approach shot to the corner followed by a winning volley stunned cross-court. And that’s deuce.
On second serve, Hurkacz looks well in control of the point, attacking the net and forcing Djokovic deep, but the Serb conjures up a magnificent pass that Hurkacz can only applaud. And Djokovic duly closes it out.
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*Djokovic 1-2 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
A couple of thumping aces down the middle closes out a simple enough service hold for Hurkacz. That element of his game appears to be working well … The players sit down for a drink. Can Hurkacz put Djokovic’s serve under pressure next up?
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Djokovic 1-1 *Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
A couple of errant strokes from the back of the court by “Hubi” Hurkacz and it’s quickly 0-30 for Djokovic. The Serb powers into the net on the next point for 30-15 … then Hurkacz hustles well to stay in a point, produces what looks a sub-optimal drop shot, which Djokovic runs down, but hits his attempted winner down the line wide. Pressure at 30-30 on the Djokovic serve, but he eats pressure for breakfast. He closes out the game with an ace.
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*Djokovic 0-1 Hurkacz (*denotes next server)
Hurkacz hits long on second serve for 0-15, then tonks an ace down the middle, and an next up an unreturnable serve for 30-15 … Then at 40-30, Hurkacz successfully challenges after a deep ground stroke kisses the baseline. He smiles and shakes his head when his suspicions are confirmed. Djokovic summons up a fantastic return to force deuce … but two more big first serves and the Pole closes out the first game.
Djokovic enters the auditorium.
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“It’s about belief for Hurkacz,” says Greg Rusedski, Amazon Prime pundit. “These conditions should help him … but Djokovic is super-motivated today because he knows he needs to win.”
How many matches does Djokovic play when he doesn’t need to win, out of interest?
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Djokovic loses the toss and Hurkacz opts to serve first. No surprise there. A quick photo with one of the sponsors, and we’re nearly ready to go.
Here comes Hubert “Hubi” Hurkacz, who was born in Wroclaw, in Lower Silesia. Perhaps his most famous result was hammering Roger Federer in straight sets at Wimbledon in 2021.
And now here’s Djokovic, sporting a natty green tracksuit top.
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Here we go! The Amazon Prime coverage has kicked in. They start by telling us that Djokovic’s record is 6-0 v the big-serving Hurkacz.
Djokovic is doing a few exercises around some cones, while the Polish player is pictured having a spin on a static bike.
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We’ll see if the crowd in Turin get behind the underdog, Hurkacz, rather than the (normally) all-conquering Djok.
The Italian fans were certainly cheering for Jannik Sinner, the Italian, when he beat the Serb on Tuesday. Asked about the raucous crowd, Djokovic said after the match: “I expected it, he’s the only Italian here and he’s playing in Italy. There’s a lot of hype and he’s in great form, so it’s normal.”
Nick Kyrgios concedes “the stars have to align a little bit” for him to make a successful comeback after more than a year out of professional tennis.
If you happen to like cricket, James Wallace is live-blogging the ODI World Cup semi-final between South Africa and Australia.
It’s between innings right now: the Proteas were all out for 210, but it could have been a lot worse had it not been for a heroic 101 by David Miller:
Daniil Medvedev booked his place in the semi-finals by beating Alexander Zverev last night:
Amazon Prime’s listings state that Djokovic v Hurkacz will start “About 1.30pm GMT” … although I presume for the early match they’ll start bang on time.
Does anyone reckon Hurkacz has a chance of upsetting the irrepressible Djokovic? You can email me if you like.
Preamble
Everybody takes a beating sometimes – even Novak Djokovic. Jannik Sinner ended the Serb’s 19-match hot streak on Tuesday, the Italian roared on to a three-set win by the passionate home crowd in Turin.
The upshot is that Djokovic may yet be eliminated at the group stage of the ATP Finals, should he fail to beat Hubert Hurkacz today and Holger Rune defeats Sinner tonight. The Green Group could also be determined by a potentially complex tiebreak against those other two players.
Hurkacz of Poland is playing a one-off match in Turin as an alternate, following the withdrawal of the injured Stefanos Tsitsipas, but the world No 9 will be a highly dangerous opponent if he finds his range with his powerful serve.
For Djokovic, losing one match could be considered unfortunate, losing two would look like carelessness. Can he put one foot in the semi-finals with victory?
Match start time: 1.30pm UK.
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