TURIN, Italy  — Novak Djokovic patted his chest, crouched down, positioned his proper hand on the court docket and regarded inward.

It was clearly a second to cherish for the 24-time Grand Slam champion after securing the year-end No. 1 rating for a record-extending eighth time.

Djokovic wanted just one match win on the ATP Finals to make sure of retaining the highest spot and he did it in his opener, beating Holger Rune 7-6 (4), 6-7 (1), 6-3 in a match spanning greater than three hours on Sunday and into Monday morning.

“It was a very emotional and tough win because of the significance of tonight’s match,” Djokovic mentioned. “That was added pressure, and attention.”

“It means a lot,” Djokovic added. “You could see there was a lot of emotions on the court. I could feel it. I was very eager to win tonight’s match and get that monkey off my back.”

The 36-year-old Djokovic had already moved forward of earlier document holder Pete Sampras (six years at No. 1) two years in the past.

Carlos Alcaraz took the honors final yr.

But Djokovic bounced again this yr by profitable three of the 4 main titles and ending runner-up to Alcaraz at Wimbledon.

“It always has been a huge objective and huge goal of mine to be No. 1 in the world. Other than Grand Slams, that’s what counts the most,” Djokovic mentioned. “To finish off the year as No. 1 at this stage of my life and career is something really amazing.”

After this match, Djokovic will change into the primary participant to carry the No. 1 rating for 400 weeks, with Roger Federer at 310 the one different man to eclipse the 300-week mark.

If Djokovic raises the trophy subsequent weekend, he’ll break a tie with Federer and seize a document seventh title on the tour finals.

“A big goal is achieved; everything else now is a bonus,” Djokovic mentioned.

Djokovic has gained 19 straight matches since his five-set loss to Alcaraz within the Wimbledon closing in July.

Earlier in the identical group, Jannik Sinner beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4.

Djokovic ended a detailed first set with a blazing forehand return winner — then flexed his proper biceps and held the pose for a couple of moments earlier than unleashing an authoritative fist pump.

The 20-year-old Rune was making his debut on the season-ending match for the yr’s prime eight gamers, and he took a set off Djokovic for the fourth time in 5 profession conferences.

Djokovic additionally beat Rune in three tight units on the Paris Masters this month.

After Djokovic gave up an early break within the third, he broke two rackets along with his foot earlier than sitting down for the changeover. But he shortly regained his composure — and the lead — earlier than ending the match off shortly after midnight.

SINNER’S SERENADE

“Olé, Olé, Olé Olé, Sin-ner, Sin-ner.”

The approach the group serenaded Sinner after his brisk win over Tsitsipas within the opening match of the match made it sound like a soccer stadium contained in the Turin enviornment.

Before the Italian might reply throughout an on-court interview, followers began singing his identify so loudly that each one he might do was step again, smile and say, “Grazie.”

“The feeling is this,” Sinner mentioned. “Kind of a football stadium. Also with the roof closed, it’s a little bit louder. It’s nice. It means that the people, they really care about me.”

Supported by chants of “Vai Jannik” (“Go Jannik”) and indicators that learn “Facci Sognare” (“Let us dream”), Sinner gave the followers simply what they got here for along with his blistering baseline photographs and powerful serve.

The 22-year-old Sinner is ending up a yr through which he has claimed 4 titles together with his first Masters 1000 trophy and is as much as a career-high No. 4 — the primary Italian that prime since Adriano Panatta practically a half-century in the past.

Sinner even confirmed off a few of his newfound contact when he produced a backhand topspin lob winner whereas on the run early within the second set.

Then on his first match level, Sinner spun an ace out large on the deuce court docket to shut in 1 hour, 25 minutes.

It was Sinner’s tour-leading 14th win indoors this yr — in opposition to only one loss.

“The match went really, really well and the crowd support was crazy,” Sinner mentioned. “It’s not just about improvement, it’s about destinations and the destination I wanted to reach this year was to be here.”

Sinner served 9 aces to Tsitsipas’ six amid quick circumstances contained in the Pala Alpitour and didn’t face a single break level.

“He definitely has improved his serve, and he showed it today,” Tsitsipas mentioned. “There wasn’t much I could do. I was trying to guess sometimes. He serves really close to the lines, to the corners. … I’m not the Elastigirl from the superheroes to be behind these balls.”

Tsitsipas, the 2019 champion, had minimize quick a apply session on Friday resulting from an obvious bodily subject however he mentioned he was “absolutely fine.”

Matches within the different group on Monday function Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev vs. Andrey Rublev.

The prime two finishers in every group advance to the semifinals.

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