Novak Djokovic demonstrated his championship mentality in a hard-fought opening victory against Denmark's Holger Rune at the ATP Finals in Turin, overcoming both a determined opponent and a hostile crowd to secure a crucial win in the Green Group.
Serbian Resilience Shines Through
The world number one showcased why he remains the player to beat in men's tennis, grinding out a 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 6-3 victory in a match that stretched over three hours. Despite facing boos from sections of the Italian crowd, Djokovic maintained his focus to claim his first ATP Finals match since 2021.
'I knew it was going to be a tough one,' Djokovic admitted after the match. 'Holger played brilliantly, especially in that second set. I had my chances to close it in straight sets, but credit to him for fighting back.'
Rune's Valiant Effort Falls Short
The 20-year-old Danish sensation pushed the 24-time Grand Slam champion to his limits, particularly in a breathtaking second-set tiebreak where he dominated 7-1. Rune's aggressive baseline game and fearless approach threatened to cause a major upset in the tournament's opening stages.
However, Djokovic's experience ultimately proved decisive as he broke early in the third set and maintained his composure to seal the victory, improving his head-to-head record against Rune to 3-1.
What's Next in the Green Group?
The victory sets up an intriguing scenario in the Green Group, with Djokovic now turning his attention to home favourite Jannik Sinner. The Italian star received a hero's welcome during his opening match and will provide another stern test for the Serbian legend.
With only the top two players from each group advancing to the semi-finals, every match carries immense importance in the prestigious season-ending tournament where Djokovic seeks a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title.
