Novak Djokovic admitted that Jannik Sinner was "more courageous and deserved to win" as his winning streak was halted at 19 matches on Tuesday after losing to the home favourite 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-2) at the ATP Finals in Turin.
The earlier Green Group clash was a non-event as Stefanos Tsitsipas retired injured against Holger Rune, but the evening ticket holders were treated to a tennis match of jaw-dropping quality.
After more than three hours of an absorbing toe-to-toe battle, in which neither player took a backward step, it was world No. 4 Sinner who seized his chance in the deciding set tiebreak to finally crack Djokovic's resistance.
"I think the main difference is that in the important points, he was going for it, he was more courageous," Djokovic said.
"He deserved to win because, in important moments, I wasn't aggressive enough, I wasn't decisive enough. I gave him the opportunity to take the control over the points.
"You have to just congratulate him. He just played a fantastic match. That's what I told him at the net.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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