Jannik Sinner is setting new standards match after match at the ATP Finals.
The home crowd favourite from Italy registered a first career win over Holger Rune, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4, two days after beating Novak Djokovic for the first time.
Sinner, who had already secured his place in the semi-finals at the season-ending event for the year’s top eight players, went one step further and finished first in his group with a perfect 3-0 record.
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But it did not come without controversy.
Rune became another player to face boos from the boisterous Italian crowd, especially when he mounted a challenge after a slow start and came from a set down to force a decider.
Serving at 1-1 in the second set, Rune tried to challenge one of his own serves and faced the wrath of the crowd as he disputed the call made by chair umpire Aurelie Tourte, who said Rune’s challenge came after Sinner hit an unplayable return, meaning it was too late.
“You ran to that shot and then you challenged,” she responded. As the world No. 8 asked the umpire to replay the moment and see whether he challenged in time, boos rained down on the Danish player as he argued his case.
“I can’t give you the challenge, we reviewed it, we see that you raised [your arm] after. It’s too late,” the official explained.
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Rune eventually submitted and went back to the baseline, sarcastically clapping the crowd and giving them a thumbs up as they jeered. But the booing did not stop as he stepped up to serve, with Rune forced to wait before he could continue.
However, the jeering did not let up, forcing Tourte to step in. “Ladies and gentlemen we’re not going to continue until you stop so if you want to see tennis,” she said before the crowd finally settled and Rune was able to serve.
Sinner’s victory also enabled Djokovic to advance in second position in the group, following the 24-time grand slam champion’s 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-1 win over alternate Hubert Hurkacz.
“I bounced back in the third set just like I did against Nole,” Sinner said. “This victory means a lot, coming back after such a big match with so many emotions. But I was still able to win the big points.”
Sinner is already up to No.4 in the rankings — the highest an Italian man has risen since Adriano Panatta nearly a half-century ago. But having also beaten No.3 Daniil Medvedev in their last two meetings, and also with wins over No.2 Carlos Alcaraz, the red-headed Sinner clearly has designs on moving up even further.
“I think he’s going to reach the No.1 in 2024 or he’s going to give himself the chance to reach the No.1,” Alcaraz said of Sinner earlier this week.
Late in the second set, Sinner grasped the left side of his lower back in apparent pain. The issue appeared to bother Sinner when he hit his backhand.
Earlier, Rune had his right leg taped just under the knee.
But both players were going for their shots at the end.
“I felt a knock during the second set but in the third set it wasn’t bothering me,” Sinner said.