Jannik Sinner has done it again, the second time in a fortnight that the Italian bested Novak Djokovic, keeping Italy alive in the Davis Cup.
If you feel like we've been seeing this matchup a lot lately, you're right because it's the 3rd time they've been playing in exactly 11 days. They played at the ATP Finals last week, with Sinner winning the round-robin match.
Djokovic retaliated brutally in the ATP Finals final, but Sinner got the last laugh on Saturday, or technically not. The match was hugely important because Miomir Kecmanovic once again secured Serbia the first point, which made this match a must-win for Sinner.
If Djokovic had won, he would have sent Serbia to the final against Australia, but we'll have to wait for the doubles. Sinner truly played this match like a must-win one.
He was really attacking and overwhelmed Djokovic early on. It was 6-2 for Sinner after one of the weakest sets Djokovic played all year. Of course, it was expected that he would respond well in the second and he did.
He came out much more focused and easily outplayed the Italian to win the second 6-2. The final one was a proper battle. Both were playing really well, but you kind of had the sense that Djokovic was still on top.
He had an early break point that he missed and then another one later. Djokovic then had 3 consecutive match points at 5-4 in the final set but Sinner saved all three of them to make it 5-5.
He then outplayed Djokovic in the next game to break for the 6-5 lead and then finished it off 7-5. It was a huge win for Sinner, who likely will play the doubles.
Most likely, we will see him and Djokovic on the courts a bit later for the doubles. Whoever wins advances to the final.