​Yannik Sinner needed four games to claim his first win over Novak Djokovic but it came at a crucial moment and the Italian is close to reaching the semi-finals of the 2023 Champions Tour.

>> VIDEO Novak Djokovic lost to apprentice Darren Cahill after a tense match

Yannick Sinner, victory against Novak Djokovic after a very tactical match

Pushed from behind by the Italian fans, Sinner (4 ATP) prevailed after three hours and 10 minutes of battle with a score of 7-5, (5)6-7, 7-6(2). The match turned out to be very balanced: both players scored 109 points, but Darren Cahill’s student was better at the important moments.

“It means a lot to me. I don’t know exactly (how this win ranks in his career), but when you win against the first player in the world to win 24 Grand Slams, obviously he’s at the top (of his career)…

There were times when we both served very well. When you’re 30-0 in a game on serve, it’s a little easier. I felt it was a very tactical match and I managed to win, so I’m very happy” – Yannik Grishnykafter the victory with Novak Djokovic.

Victory with Novak Djokovic at the Tournament of Champions, the peak of Yannick Sinner’s career

At the press conference, the 22-year-old Italian explained how much this victory means to him, and told how difficult the path to such success was.

“It is clear that the atmosphere today was incredible. The people helped me a lot: as I said on the first day, it’s an honor to play in Turin. I expected a very difficult match, but I knew that the stands would help me a lot.

I’m very pleased with how we went in the right direction. When the match is so balanced, the role of the spectators is huge. The points were very close, it was an incredible match and I am happy that I was able to contribute to this show.

I always say that I am only 22 years old and the only thing I can do is improve and learn. My process, especially this year, is a great process because we also practiced a lot between tournaments.

He missed several competitions to train and improve physically. It really helped me come to the end of the season fresh, not only physically, but mentally, ready to keep playing, even though deep down I knew the season was almost over.

It’s all part of the process. I said after Wimbledon that I felt a little closer this year, even though I lost in three sets (to Djokovic in the semifinals). Last year I lost in five, but paradoxically this year I felt closer to his level.

Today I could have easily lost in two sets as well, you never know what happens on the court, the difference is very small, it all depends on a few points. Of course I went in very confident, I knew I could play great, which I did.

If you put all the circumstances together, that I’m playing in Turin against the first racket in the world to win 24 Grand Slams, that I’m doing it in such an atmosphere, I think it’s the pinnacle of my career. , Yes?

Like I said, even if I had lost I would have been happy because I played well, put on a show. Mentally, it was very important for me to be there in this match, to know that I can beat him. Yes, I think this is my most important victory today” – Yannik Grishnykat the press conference.

The result of the match Yannick Sinner – Novak Djokovic:

Green group, rating

1. Yannick Sinner 2-0 (wins / losses) / 4-1 sets

2. Novak Djokovic 1-1 / 3-3

3. Rune Holger 1-1 / 3-2

4. Hubert Gurkach 0-0 / 0-0

5. Stefanos Tsitsipas 0-2 / 0-4 (withdrew from the competition).

Recent Green Group matches: Yannick Sinner vs. Holger Rooney and Novak Djokovic vs. Hubert Hurkac.

Know:

• Djokovic is unbeaten since the 2023 Wimbledon final, during which the Serb has 19 wins and won the Cincinnati Masters, US Open and Paris Masters titles.

• The ATP leader and Darren Cahill’s protégé have met four times on the world stage, and Djokovic now leads 3-1.

2021 / 6-4, 6-2 in Monte Carlo for Djokovic

2022 / 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 at Wimbledon for Djokovic

2023 / 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) at Wimbledon for Djokovic

2023 / 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) for Sinner at the Tournament of Champions.

• Yannick Sinner has won his last five meetings with the top five ATP players:

7-6(4), 6-1 vs. Carlos Alcaraz – 2 ATP (semi-finals in Beijing)

7-6(2), 7-6(2) against Daniil Medvedev – 3 ATP (final in Beijing)

7-5, 7-6(5) against Andriy Rublyov – 5 ATP (semifinal in Vienna)

7-6(7), 4-6, 6-3 against Danylo Medvedev – 3 ATP (Vienna final)

7-5, (5)6-7, 7-6(2) vs. Novak Djokovic – 1 ATP (Tournament of Champions).

Who won the Tournament of Champions over time

Novak Djokovic 6 (2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022)

Roger Federer 6 (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011)

Ivan Lendl 5 (1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987)

Pete Sampras 5 (1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999)

Ilye Nastase 4 (1971, 1972, 1973, 1975)

Boris Becker 3 (1988, 1992, 1995)

John McEnroe (1978, 1983, 1984)

Bjorn Borg 2 (1979, 1980)

Leighton Hewitt 2 (2001, 2002)

Oleksandr Zverev 2 (2018, 2021)

Andy Murray (2016)

Grigor Dimitrov (2017)

Stefanos Tsitsipas (2019)

Daniil Medvedev (2020)

Andre Agassi (1990)

Stan Smith (1970)

Mykola Davydenko (2009)

Stefan Edberg (1989)

Jimmy Connors (1977)

Alex Corretha (1998)

Gustavo Kuerten (2000)

David Nalbandyan (2005)

Manuel Orantes (1976)

Michael Stitch (1993)

Guillermo Vilas (1974).

Tournament of Champions – Records

• Most titles (in singles): Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic (6)

• Most consecutive titles (in singles): Novak Djokovic (4)

• Oldest champion: Novak Djokovic, 35 years and 5 months, 2022

• Youngest champion: John McEnroe, 19 years and 10 months, 1978

• Highest-ranked champion: 1st: Ilie Nastase (1973), Jimmy Connors (1977), Bjorn Borg (1979-80), John McEnroe (1984), Ivan Lendl (1985-87), Pete Sampras (1994, 1996) -97) , Lleyton Hewitt (2002), Roger Federer (2004, 2006-07), Novak Djokovic (2012, 2014-15, 2022) and Andy Murray (2016).

• Champion with the lowest rating: 12th place: David Nalbandyan, 2005.

• Most qualifications: Roger Federer (17)

• Most wins: Roger Federer (59).

The 2023 Tournament of Champions takes place from November 12 to 19 on hard at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy. It has a total prize pool of $9,000,000, starts with the top eight players of the season, and is the reigning champion, Novak Djokovic (double won by Rajiv Ram and Joe Salisbury).