Novak Djokovic says he will ‘keep going’ after US Open win
Novak Djokovic scraped through to the semi-finals of the ATP Finals on Thursday after finishing his group with a 2-1 record. The Serb was defeated by Jannik Sinner but had the same man to thank, as the Italian’s victory over Holger Rune ensured that the 24-time grand slam champion would reach the final four for the 12th time in Turin.
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Just hours before Djokovic discovered his fate, he admitted that he had turned his attention towards the Davis Cup having not known whether he would advance to the semi-finals. “If he (Sinner) wins, I’ll qualify. If he doesn’t, I’ll still finish the season with a win and look to Davis Cup,” Djokovic said after his three-set victory over Hubert Hurkacz.
The Serb also took issue with the lining of questioning put towards him after his win, as one interviewer claimed that he appeared upset during the second set. Djokovic abruptly ended the on-court conversation before moving on to discover his semi-final fate.
Friday’s action then saw Carlos Alcaraz top the Red Group and book his spot in the semi-final with a 6-4 6-4 win over Daniil Medvedev while Andrey Rublev contested a dead rubber against Alexander Zverev, with both men eliminated. Alcaraz will face Djokovic in a blockbuster semi-final clash on Saturday while Medvedev takes on Sinner for a spot in the final.
Recap Express Sport‘s updates from day six at the ATP Finals below…
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Novak Djokovic in an awkward exchange with an interviewer. (Image: TennisTV)
Yasmin Syed
Thanks for following along
Thanks for following Express Sport’s live updates from the final day of round-robin play at the ATP Finals.
Alcaraz booked his spot in the semi-final with a straight-set win over Medvedev, sealing their fate as the first and second place players of the Red Group.
Alcaraz will face Djokovic on Saturday while Medvedev takes on Sunner.
Keep up to date with the latest tennis news and the rest of the ATP Finals action on Express Sport.
Yasmin Syed
Rune’s classy message after being knocked out
Holger Rune had a chance to reach the semi-final of the ATP Finals on his debut last night when he faced Jannik Sinner. Had he won the match, he would have gone through. But he was defeated by the home favourite.
The 20-year-old took to social media to share a classy message following his defeat, thanking the crowd and explaining why Sinner and Djokovic deserved to advance from his group.
“Great battle yesterday. Super close as always. Jannik did amazing this season. Novak won 3 slams and did final in the last. We have the right number 1 and 2 in our group moving into the finals. Good luck to you both. I will come back stronger next year,” he wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
In an Instagram story, Rune also said: “Great battle as always @janniksin. I like matches like this. I wish you good luck in the finals. At the same time I want to thank all the Italians for not making me unwanted yesterday. You were a great and passionate crowd even when playing your national hero. Grazie.”
Holger Rune shared a classy message for the ATP Finals crowd after going out (Image: Instagram @holgerrune)
Yasmin Syed
Saturday schedule gives way for Alcaraz vs Djokovic night session
Saturday’s semi-final schedule has been released, with Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic set to renew their rivalry in the last match of the day.
Home hope Jannik Sinner takes on Daniil Medvedev in the afternoon. The full schedule is as follows…
11am UK time:
Granollers/Zeballos vs Bopanna/Ebden
Not before 1:30pm UK time:
Sinner vs Medvedev
Not before 5:30pm UK time:
Ram/Salisbury vs Gonzalez/Roger-Vasselin
Not before 8pm UK time:
Alcaraz vs Djokovic
Yasmin Syed
Alcaraz ‘ready’ to face Djokovic as superstitious routine shared
Carlos Alcaraz revealed that he felt ready to take on Novak Djokovic in a highly-anticipated fifth meeting in tomorrow’s semi-final.
After beating Daniil Medvedev on Friday to top the Red Group, the Spaniard said: “I think facing someone like Novak, you have to stay strong mentally and deal with the pressure that he puts on you in every ball, in every point. I think I learned a lot about that. I think I’m ready to face him tomorrow.”
Alcaraz is also feeling superstitious ahead of their contest, as he admitted he would replicate what he did before his other match wins in Turin this week. “I usually do the same routine before the match. Probably repeat some things that I’m doing. If I win, I would like to repeat a few things,” he explained.
Read the full story HERE.
Yasmin Syed
Alcaraz shares key to Medvedev victory after topping group
Carlos Alcaraz opened up on his 6-4 6-4 victory over Daniil Medvedev after getting revenge over the Russian after losing to him at the US Open.
The Spaniard needed to beat Medvedev in straight sets to advance to the semi-final as the group winner and did just that. “I’m really, really happy to be able to play my first semi-final here,” he said after.
“I think the key today was to stay strong mentally. It was a few games with myself that I was struggling a little bit. The return game that Daniil has is unbelievable.
“I would say stay calm, stay strong, and believe in my game in those moments. I’m going to say that was the key.”
Yasmin Syed
Medvedev reacts to ‘unlucky’ Alcaraz defeat
Carlos Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-4 to top the Red Group at the ATP Finals. Medvedev was already into the semi-final coming into their match and the Spaniard was able to get out of the group stage and join them.
After the match, Medvedev admitted that it felt closer than the scoreline looked as he admitted he got unlucky. “Yeah, in important moments, I was not good enough and he was a little bit better than me,” the world No 3 said.
“Kind of feel strange because 4 and 4 is considered an easy score, but I felt like I had couple of opportunities, got maybe a little bit unlucky. He played one unreal game in first set on my serve. Second set I played a bad game on my serve.”
Yasmin Syed
Alcaraz sets up Djokovic showdown
Carlos Alcaraz sealed his fate as the winner of the Red Group with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Daniil Medvedev to advance to the semi-final on his debut.
The world No 2 needed a straight-set victory to top the group and he managed to pull it off, handing Medvedev his first loss of the week.
It means that he faces the second-place player of the Green Group in the semi-final, which happens to be Novak Djokovic. It will be their fifth meeting, with their head-to-head tied at 2-2.
Read the full story HERE.
Carlos Alcaraz booked his spot in the semi-final (Image: Getty )
Jack McEachen
Alcaraz incredible Medvedev rally
Carlos Alcaraz came on top in a stunning rally with Daniil Medvedev in today’s clash.
Alcaraz especially has been in stunning form at the net having took the first set 6-4 and has just broke his opponent, currently serving to reach the semi-finals.
Jack McEachen
Sinner sends Alcaraz and Djokovic warning
Jannik Sinner has claimed that he will try his best to take the world No 1 spot next season in a clear message to Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
The pair have battled for top spot throughout the year and after Alcaraz said that Sinner can become No 1, Sinner appreciated the compliment.
“Obviously, a huge privilege that Carlos says this kind of thing… kind things to me,” he told the Tennis Channel. “I think we are good friends, and obviously, he recognizes, I guess, high-level tennis, no?
“And most importantly, obviously, he has been No 1 already and then he was fighting until this tournament here with Novak for getting the end of the year (World No 1).
“It’s just nice to be around these guys, who have been No 1. And I will obviously try my best. The preparation for next year is gonna be a key moment for me. So hopefully, we can work a lot.”
Jack McEachen
Djokovic wants another Nadal match
Novak Djokovic has stated his desire to play Rafael Nadal one more time before the Spanish legend calls it a day on his career.
Nadal is targeting a return from a year-long injury at the Australian Open and Djokovic hopes that he can pay tribute to the 22-time Grand Slam champion on the court one more time.
“I think it would be nice for the sport to have at least one more match between Nadal and me,” he said. “That’s the biggest rivalry in terms of the amount of matches played that this sport ever had. Hopefully that can happen.
“He’s a big warrior. He’s somebody that really never gives up. With all the injuries that he
Rune Faces Fan Backlash at ATP Finals
Holger Rune, a rising star at the ATP Finals, experienced the displeasure of the crowd as he was met with boos during his match against Jannik Sinner.
During the game, Rune attempted to challenge his own serve, but the umpire informed him that he had not requested the challenge in time, resulting in his request being denied.
As Rune made another unsuccessful challenge, the boos echoed throughout the court, prompting the umpire to intervene and urge the fans to stop jeering.
Holger Rune was booed by fans. (Image: Getty)
Djokovic’s Awkward Post-Match Interview
Following Novak Djokovic’s hard-fought victory over Hubert Hurkacz, he found himself in an uncomfortable interview on the court.
Initially, Djokovic asked the reporter to wait as there was music playing in the background. However, he seemed to take offense at a question posed to him.
When asked about his apparent frustration during the second set, Djokovic curtly replied, “Why? Why was I upset? I lost the set, so it’s normal.”
He abruptly ended the interview by stating that he considered it a “good win”.
Exciting Day Ahead at the ATP Finals
Welcome to Express Sport’s live coverage of the ATP Finals, where we anticipate an action-packed day of tennis.
To ensure you’re up to date, take a look at our recap of yesterday’s thrilling matches.
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been with Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz.
Kyrgios, who has taken up a punditry role during the ATP Finals, described Alcaraz as “incredible” for his recent run but is wary of comparing him to Novak Djokovic.
“To be this young and dominating the way he (Alcaraz) has I think is incredible,” Kyrgios told the Tennis Channel.
“There’s always going to be people saying, ‘We want more, we want more’, but you’ve got to be patient with him, I think he’s doing enough for that age. Novak is obviously superhuman, he is an alien from another planet.
“All the other guys, (Holger) Rune, pulled it together towards the end of the year, he went through a bit of a struggle period, pulled it back, that’s great to see, I like him.
Obviously, (Andrey) Rublev, (Daniil) Medvedev, (Alexander) Zverev, these guys are just so consistent all the time. (Stefanos) Tsitsipas, obviously one of the best ball strikers that we have.”
Nick Kyrgios has discussed Carlos Alcaraz. (Image: Getty)
Jack McEachen
Order of play
Today’s matches will see the men’s singles and doubles take place.
From 11am:
Match 1 – [2] Skupski/Koolhof v [3] Ebden/Bopanna
Match 2 – [2] Carlos Alcaraz v [3] Daniil Medvedev
From 5:30pm:
Match 3 – [8] Hijikata/Kubler v [6] Ram/Salisbury
Match 4 – [5] Andrey Rublev v [7] Alexander Zverev
Jack McEachen
Djokovic ‘not favourite’ to win tournament
Novak Djokovic has been told that he is not the favourite to win the ATP Finals this year.
The Serb edged his way into the semi-finals but former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone insists that other contenders have a better chance at victory.
“In my opinion Djokovic is not the favorite to win the ATP Finals, but he has the ability to recruit not only strength but also concentration,” she said.
“Furthermore, the analysis he will make of the match played yesterday will allow him to go to the semi-final with a different spirit and another concentration, if he manages to win the match that awaits him tomorrow.
“He needs to have very high concentration and make the difference with his weapons: explosiveness at the right moment, being able to see the opposite half of the court much bigger than the current Alcaraz or Zverev.”
Jack McEachen
Rune booed by fans
Holger Rune became the latest star at the ATP Finals to feel the wrath of the crowd as he was booed during his defeat to Jannik Sinner.
He attempted to challenge his own serve but after being informed by the umpire that he did not request the challenge in time, he was turned down.
He had another request dismissed before boos rang around the court, forcing the umpire to step in and tell the supporters to stop jeering.
Holger Rune was booed by fans. (Image: Getty)
Jack McEachen
Djokovic awkward interview
Shortly after Novak Djokovic’s three-set win over Hubert Hurkacz, he was involved in an awkward interview courtside.
He firstly asked the reporter to wait as there was music playing over the tannoy, before seemingly taking umbrage with a question.
When asked why he appeared upset during the second set, Djokovic replied: “Why? Why was I upset? I lost the set, so it’s normal.”
He then abruptly ended the interview by stating that he took part in a “good win”.
Djokovic had a very short interview after his match with Hubi Hurkacz
u201cYou seemed upset in that 2nd set. What happened in this match?u201d
Novak: u201cWhy? Why was I upset? I lost the set. Itu2019s normal.u201d
u201cHow do you reflect on the match?u201d
Novak: u201cGood winu201d ud83dude02
pic.twitter.com/ZF6HRcs94m
u2014 The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 16, 2023