‘I’m playing for him’ – Jannik Sinner humbles Hubert Hurkacz in statement ATP Finals win
Jannik Sinner made clear that he is not in Turin just to make up the numbers as he took full advantage of his call up to the ATP Finals.
The 20-year-old took the place of compatriot Matteo Berrettini after the world number seven withdrew from the event due to injury.
Entering his match with Hubert Hurkacz, Sinner had played the Pole just once before.
That encounter came earlier this season, in the final of the Miami Masters, which Hurkacz won to claim his maiden Masters 1000 title.
But today in Turin was a different story. The youngster, buoyed by the home crowd and relishing his opportunity, secured a double break in the first set to seal it 6-2.
While Sinner was dialled in, Hurkacz looked out of sorts. The 24-year-old surrendered yet another double break to lose the match 6-2, 6-2.
“In one way it’s a highlight [of my year],” Jannik Sinner said in his post-match interview.
”in another way it’s not the way you want to play here [with] Matteo [Berrettjni] pulling out. He has been unlucky many times already in his career and I wish him all the best.”
The victory for Sinner means that he is in with a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals in Turin if he wins his next match against Daniel Medvedev.
At the same time, despite losing both of his first two matches, Hurkacz too could still qualify for the last four.
At the top of the group, Medvedev is now guaranteed top spot after winning both of his first two matches over Hurkacz and Alexander Zverev.
”I said before I’m going to play for [Berrettini] this tournament because he deserves to be here more than me,” Sinner continued.
”But, of course, it is a highlight playing here.”
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