Qualification is just a racket away, two wins in the first two matches against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas and No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Jannik Sinner tonight takes the court against a tough opponent, the number 8 in the world, the Danish Holger Rune. A complicated opponent, who has grown in recent times thanks to the change of coach, Boris Beker. With a win, head to the semi-final, but even with a defeat nothing is precluded, you can lose with some particular combinations. Jannik this season is the tennis player on the circuit who has made the most technical improvements and above all improvements in mental resilience.

The South Tyrolean player is breaking down several taboos: Daniil Medvedev beaten, finally, in two finals, Beijing and Vienna. The other insurmountable obstacle Novak Djokovic, he defeated in Turin in a fantastic match, Jannik never gave up, he managed to play his aggressive tennis without fear, victory in three sets 7-5 6-7 7-6. This is a sign of a clear growth that does not want to run out, but wants to continue. The third player to beat tonight's opponent, Holger Rune, who has always won against the Italian, two previous ones: the first in the semifinals in Sofia last year, when Sinner was ahead by a set and retired at the end of the third due to an ankle injury, then Monte Carlo last April, Jannik had won the first set 6-1, then there was the interruption due to rain, but then Rune managed to turn everything around at the restart.

Tonight's match promises to be difficult, but Jannik will take the field without fear, he plays on an equal footing with everyone. But there is still a lot of work to be done to qualify for the semi-finals. The Italian could still take the court already qualified, in the event that Hurkacz beats Djokovic, a scenario that is difficult to predict, or a victory for Nole in three sets. Conversely, if Djokovic wins in straight sets and Jannik loses to Rune in three sets, the game quotient would have to be evaluated. But the Azzurri are masters of their own destiny, with a win the arithmetic would be on their side, also sure of first place in the group. In order not to go out, Jannik must not lose 2 sets to 0, or lose in three sets to the Dane with Djokovic winning in two sets, but having the third quotient game. Sinner has won more games than anyone else in the Green Group at the moment.

These are the possible combinations to reach the semi-finals:

Sinner loses 2-0 or 2-1 to the Dane and Hurkacz wins at least one set against Djokovic

Sinner loses in three sets and Djokovic wins 2-0 but Jannik has one of the first two game differentials, he has to lose by a margin of no more than four games against Rune

Sinner wins against Rune, at this point Djokovic's result doesn't matter

The live broadcast of the match will be broadcast on Rai2 and streamed on Rainews.it

LaPresse

Tennis Nitto ATP Finals, Jannik Sinner