Novak Djokovic has identified the shot Jannik Sinner possesses which is better than that of fellow rising star Holger Rune ahead of his ATP Finals clash with the Italian.
The Serbian believes Sinner has a better forehand than Rune, while declaring he knows what to expect from the world No 4, who he will be facing for the fourth time.
The world No 1 overcame Rune in a high-level three-set battle in his opening match at the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin on Sunday night. Sinner, meanwhile, started his campaign with a convincing straight-set victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the opening singles match of the event.
Djokovic will take on the 22-year-old in his second match in the Green Group on Tuesday night, after Tsitsipas and Rune face off in the afternoon session.
The 36-year-old has won all three of his previous encounters with Sinner, but the Italian has largely been in stunning form since making his maiden Major semi-final at Wimbledon in July.
Former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski, an analyst and commentator for Amazon Prime Video, recently claimed Sinner was the “most improved” player in 2023 and the “biggest threat” to Djokovic at the ATP Finals.
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Speaking in his press conference after beating Rune, Djokovic was asked what strengths Sinner possesses that the 20-year-old Dane does not.
“I mean, Jannik probably has a better forehand, I would say. Holger of tonight played extremely high level. I think Holger of tonight could win against Sinner and against anybody that he would face on the court. Will be very interesting to see how he matches with other players in the group,” said the Serbian.
“I mean, Jannik obviously is in a great form. He’s been playing maybe tennis of his life this year, best season of his career. Obviously playing at home with the Italian crowd helps a lot, boosts his confidence, give him in a way wings to play his best tennis, which he did today.
Jannik Sinner says facing Novak Djokovic will tell him where he is with his game:
“Djokovic will tell me where I am. I felt closer this year in the semifinals at Wimbledon, despite losing in three sets, than last year in the quarter-finals, when we fought for five. I can’t wait.… pic.twitter.com/7SHRQsKGyz
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 12, 2023
“I saw a little bit of his match against Tsitsipas. He played great, very solid, good serves. Jannik is one of the fastest and strongest hitters from the baseline out there in the world that we have, and have had for the last couple years. I know his game very well.
“I never lost to him, but we had some really close matches. Last time we played in semis of Wimbledon, obviously. Yeah, I’m going to obviously prepare myself well for the match.
“I know what to expect. I can expect the highest of him with, of course, the support of the crowd. It’s going to be nice I think for the tournament, us facing each other. I think we [are] both in great form. Let’s see what happens.”
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