Rune, who is making his debut at the prestigious year-end event, pushed Djokovic hard throughout the three-hour, four-minute clash before ultimately falling short. The 20-year-old is pleased with how he handled the physical element of the match. –ATP Tour

By Roger Childs

A tough week’s tennis

It’s the climax of the tennis year, the top eight men playing off in the Nitto ATP Finals. The spectators are guaranteed top quality tennis from the outset. Initially there is a round robin in two groups to find the best four for the semi-finals which of course decide who the finalists will be.  These last two will play five tough matches indoors in a week, in the Italian city of Turin. 

The tournament has been played since 1970 and the winners list include four of this year’s competitors. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have each won it six times and the latter has the chance to stand supreme after the 2023 matches.

This year’s contestants are the top eight in the ATP rankings, and in addition to the Serbian legend, comprise Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner, Stephanos Tsitsipas, Sacha Zverev, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Carlos Alcaraz, and Nikolai Rublev. There is a prize purse of $15 million.

Off to a flying start

On the first day Italian Jannik Sinner easily accounted for Stephanos Tsitspas from Greece 6-4, 6-4, before the top seed featured in his first encounter.

This second match turned out to be a thriller.  The spectators knew they would be in for an exciting clash from the first point. Top seed Djokovic served to eighth seed Rune on the Dane’s forehand, he stepped back and thumped a winner down the Serb’s backhand side. Game on! Djokovic took the first set in a tie break 7-6. Rune then fought back and took the second set in another tie break.

There were many thrilling rallies often involving tightly angled shots to the backhand side interspersed with occasional drop shots and well placed volleys.  

In the deciding set a service break would probably decide the winner. It came in the sixth game with Rune on serve. After two deuces, Djokovic’s volleying skills and placement proved superior and he made the crucial break to ultimately run out the winner 6-3.

Entertainment guaranteed 

All matches can be viewed on Sky Sport and viewers can be assured they will be witnessing tennis if the highest quality.