TURIN: Six-time champion Novak Djokovic boosted his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals semifinals on Thursday after he recovered from a second-set slump to down alternate Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-1.
Hurkacz was competing as an alternate after the withdrawal of Stefanos Tsitsipas due to back injury.
Djokovic, who moves to 2-1 in Green Group, now awaits the outcome between Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner to learn if he’s advanced to the last four at the prestigious year-end event, reports ATP tour.
Aiming for a 12th semi-final berth in 16 ATP Finals appearances, Djokovic manoeuvred through a heavy-hitting, first-strike clash with Hurkacz, whom the Serbian now holds a 7-0 ATP Head-to-Head record against.
Both players fought for court positioning, hugging the baseline tight behind their serves throughout the two-hour, four-minute encounter.
The 36-year-old Serbian finished the match with 13 unforced errors, compared to Hurkacz's 41, including 23 from his forehand. Djokovic also was more dominant behind his second serve, winning 73 per cent of his second-serve points to his opponent's 32 per cent.
Daniil Medvedev booked his place in the last four on Wednesday night after beating Alexander Zverev 7-6 (9/7), 6-4.
Medvedev has a long-running rivalry with Zverev, the pair not getting on off-court, and he has now prevailed in five of their six matches this season.
One of those wins came on his way to his surprise triumph at the clay-court Italian Open back in May, one of five titles won by Medvedev this year. Agencies
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