“It’s pressure obviously but I like to be in this situation” – Sinner revelling in playing in front of home fans – updated after reaching final
The Italian has won all his three matches at the ATP Finals this week and is now through to the final
Jannik Sinner, 2023, Turin | © Imago / Panoramic
Many players feel the pressure of playing in front of home fans at a big tournament can get too much at times. Not Jannik Sinner. The 22-year-old Italian, playing the best tennis of his young career, is relishing playing in Turin, which is hosting the ATP Finals, this week.
Sinner defeated Holger Rune 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 on Thursday for his first win over the Dane in three career meetings and remained unbeaten during the round-robin stage. His 3-0 record enabled him to top the Green Group and puts him into the semis, along with Novak Djokovic, who finished second in the group.
He then beat Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1 to reach the final.
“It is special, for sure. It’s a huge privilege to be here. It’s in Italy. It’s obviously a little bit of pressure more, but it is kind of a positive pressure. I like to be in this situation,” Sinner said after his win on Thursday. “I think until now, in this moment, I managed it really well. Hopefully I can keep going like this. I think the crowd, they give me a lot of strength, especially when I’m struggling on the court a little bit. It’s just nice to step on the court.”
The Italian is also looking forward to the chance to play two more matches in front of his home fans this week – the semi-final on Saturday and then potentially the final on Sunday.
“Now I have the chance to go two more matches there. Obviously if you win Saturday, the final is on Sunday. It’s nice that I had the chance to play five matches here. It’s a special place. Hopefully I can keep going with the level that I am playing. Let’s see what’s coming.”
“It was important for me to reset after this good win against Novak Djokovic” – Sinner
Sinner’s win also put world No 1 Djokovic into the semis – a win for Rune would have qualified the Dane for the semis along with the Italian. While many were wondered if Sinner might not go all in for the win and rest up for the weekend, the world No 4 dismissed any such ideas with his hard-fought victory.
“It was important for me to reset after this good win against Novak, starting from zero again, being ready for a tough fight against Holger. I never won against him. It’s nice that I won at least once against him. He’s an incredible player, serving really good. I started off really well. From the second set he served better. It was obviously much, much tougher to break him. I think it was a good win, positive win. Let’s see what’s coming on Saturday,” the Italian said.
The semi-finalists from the second group will be determined on Friday. Russia’s Daniil Medvedev is already through to the semis, but it remains to be seen if he finishes first or second there while Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev are in contention for the second berth.
