Jannik Sinner has become the second player to advance to the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals in Turin, making history for his country in the process.
The 22-year-old - who entered the 2023 event as a direct qualifier for the first time - had already put one foot firmly in the knockout stages courtesy of back-to-back wins over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic.
In order for Sinner to seal a top-two finish before his showdown with Holger Rune on Tuesday evening, the Italian required Hubert Hurkacz - who stepped in as an alternate for the injured Tsitsipas - to at least take a set off of Djokovic in their afternoon contest.
The Italian's wish was granted, as Hurkacz won his second set against Djokovic to confirm Sinner's spot in the final four, following Daniil Medvedev's qualification from the Red group on Wednesday.
Sinner has now become the first-ever Italian to reach the semi-finals of the ATP Finals since the tournament's inception, and Djokovic's fate now coincidentally rests in the hands of the home favourite owing to his 7-6[1], 4-6, 6-1 beating of Hurkacz.
Djokovic - who is the defending champion - will join Sinner in the semi-finals if the Italian beats Rune, but victory for the Dane in either two or three sets against Sinner will send the world number one packing.
Ben Knapton
