It just oozed class when tennis’ two best players squared off in Turin. But in the end there was really no talk of the matter when Novak Djokovic secured his place in Sunday’s final after 6-3, 6-2.
– Right from the start I had a good feeling about the match. I knew it would be intense, that’s how Carlos plays, so you have to match that. I think I did it and I played flawless tennis, says Novak Djokovic.
After Carlos Alcaraz defeated the Serb in this summer’s Wimbledon final, Djokovic has now won two straight matches against the Spaniard (the last time they met was the final of the ATP 1000 Finals in Cincinnati).
Now Novak Djokovic is pitted against world number four Jannik Sinner. The Italian defeated Russian Daniil Medvedev earlier on Saturday (6-3, 6-7, 6-1). As recently as Wednesday, Sinner won against Djokovic at home in Turin. It was the first time the 22-year-old defeated 36-year-old Djokovic.
– He is playing absolutely fantastic tennis right now, probably the best of his life. We played a very even match the other day with huge pressure from the crowd. I don’t expect anything else tomorrow, hopefully I can play my best tennis, says Djokovic.