TWO of the ATP Finals semi-finalists have been determined after two rounds of action, with the top two in the world qualifying through to the last four in Turin, Italy. World number one Novak Djokovic and world number two Daniil Medvedev have already booked their spots in the next stage with a round to go, and both facing off against alternate players who have grabbed their opportunities following two retirements from the tournament due to injury.

Red Group

Medvedev has had two incredibly tough challenges thus far, having overcome Hubert Hurkacz in three sets, and then Alexander Zverev in another epic contest. The top three seeds went the full distance in their match, with the Russian eventually winning 6-4 6-7 7-6 in a remarkable match that lasted two hours and 35 minutes. Both players had their fair share of serving dominance, with the third seed German putting down 18 aces to Medvedev’s 14, and winning 70 and 65 per cent of his first and second serve points off a 79 per cent clip. The Russian was more dominant off his first serve, winning 79 per cent of his points, but also served at a lower efficiency (70 per cent), but was able to produce the only break of the match in the first set.

“I think the second set, on these fast courts, where I had a lot of opportunities to maybe get closer to the win on his serve was not easy, because it’s like you feel the moment that you can win the match there,” Medvedev said post-match.

“He’s definitely not going to make it easy for you, and there were a few points where I could have been better, and I think the nerves were part of it. “But then in the third-set tie-break, of course both of us were shaken. “That’s completely normal. “Everybody would be: Novak, Rafa, Roger.

“That’s why I found it funny, because I think on the TV you don’t really see it because I was still going for the shots. I was not missing that much. “I made a few great shots, and it was enough to win the match. “So I guess people could look at it and say, ‘Wow, he’s not tight at all’, but, yeah, hands were shaking.”

The other Red Group match was a contrasting event, as Hurkacz was unable to sustain his performance against the world number two from the first round, up against alternate player Jannik Sinner. The young Italian was replacing injured compatriot Matteo Berrettini in Turin, and had an ATP Finals debut to remember, blowing away his Polish opponent in an hour and 25 minutes, 6-2 6-2. Sinner served five aces to four, and won 74 per cent of his first serve points compared to Hurkacz’s 58 per cent. He also won more second serve points (50 to 31 per cent) and broke four times from six chances, all whilst saving five break points himself.

“I knew around 5 (p.m.) that I would play,” Sinner said post-match. “I was ready to go on court. It is an incredible feeling playing here in Italy with thousands of people cheering for you and I am trying my best. I will enjoy the moment. I played well and felt good in the warm up. It was an incredible match today.”

Green Group

Djokovic is saving his best work until last, determined to cap off his 2021 season with a ATP Finals title. He took care of Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev without any troubles whatsoever, winning 6-3 6-2 in just 68 minutes on court. The dominant Serbian produced 14 aces to six, and won 27 of a possible 31 first serve points, never really giving his younger opponent a sniff. Rublev did manage to break on the one chance he got, but that was all he received, as Djokovic broke him four times from six chances, and really asserted his authority in the match. The result meant Djokovic will sail through to the semi-finals, with a high likelihood of playing Zverev – the man who beat him in the Olympics – in the final four.

“I knew that I had to be on my toes and start well,” Djokovic said post-match. “I dropped my serve again like in the first match [against Casper Ruud]. “It was quite a nervous start from both of us until 4-3, then with new balls I somehow managed to find the right shots at the right time. “I made him play, crucially on the break point at 4-3, when I managed to strike a good passing shot.

“Winning the first set I put additional pressure on him, and I started to maybe play more consistently from the back of the court. I served well [and] that helped tremendously. “I wanted to put him out of his comfort zone, taking away the time and mix up the pace. It was a great performance overall.”

After being destroyed by Casper Ruud earlier this year, Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie was determined to make amends as he was a late call-up for the Green group. The day before, Stefanos Tsitsipas announced he would withdraw from the tournament after niggling soreness, giving the Brit his chance at the ATP Finals. Norrie looked incredible in the first set, winning it 6-1 to look in complete control, before eighth seed Ruud got back on top. The Norwegian won 6-3 6-4 in the final two sets, in a match that lasted an hour and 51 minutes. Ruud served 10 aces to six, and won 78 per cent of his first serve points compared to Norrie’s 66 per cent. In saying that, Norrie was the more complete server with 79 per cent efficiency to Ruud’s 63 per cent, and won 59 to 54 per cent of his second serve points. Both players broke twice, but Ruud was not broken after the first set, enabling him to secure his maiden ATP Finals win.

ATP FINALS ROUND 2 RESULTS:

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated [5] Andrey Rublev (RUS) 6-3 6-2
[2] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated [3] Alexander Zverev (GER) 6-3 6-7 7-6
[ALT – 9] Jannik Sinner (ITA) defeated [7] Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 6-2 6-2
[8] Casper Ruud (NOR) defeated [ALT – 10] Cameron Norrie (GBR) 1-6 6-3 6-4

ATP FINALS ROUND 3 SCHEDULE:

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [ALT – 10] Cameron Norrie (GBR)
[5] Andrey Rublev (RUS) vs. [8] Casper Ruud (NOR)
[2] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs. [ALT – 9] Jannik Sinner (ITA)
[3] Alexander Zverev (GER) vs. [7] Hubert Hurkacz (POL)

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