Djokovic-Hurkacz is a match valid for the group stage of the Atp Finals 2023: schedule, news, predictions, live TV and streaming.
Novak Djokovic, world number one and early favorite at the 2023 Atp Finals, is at risk of elimination. Yes, you read that right: the Serb, defeated two days ago by Jannik Sinner at the end of a memorable match that ended in the tie break of the third set (5-7 7-6 6-7), now has to compulsorily beat the Pole Hubert Hurkacz, who took Stefanos Tsitsipas’ place following the elbow injury that forced the Greek to abandon, after only three games, the match with the Dane Rune, and to withdraw from the tournament.
Nole needs a win to be sure of playing the knockout stage, but losing a set would be very risky: if Hurkacz were in fact to win a partial, he would indirectly do Sinner a favor, who in the evening match with Rune would already have qualification in his pocket. At that point Djokovic would not be master of his own destiny, having to wait for the match between the Italian and the Gentofte native. Should Rune come out on top in three sets the games won would be counted. In short, the 24-time Slam champion can do no wrong: he will need his best version to close the file in two sets against a player who, given the two defeats suffered by Tsitsipas, has no hope of entering the next round.
Nole almost obliged to win in two sets
Djokovic will, however, have to pay close attention to the Polish player’s serve, which on a fast surface like the Pala Alpitour becomes even more insidious.
(Hurkacz , TheVeggente.it (Ansa)
The record, at any rate, reassures the Serb, who in six confrontations with Hurkacz has always gotten the better of him. On grass and concrete, however, the Wroclaw native has won at least one set three times out of four, a statistic not to be underestimated. The last head-to-head was at Wimbledon 2023, with Nole winning in four sets. Finally, Hurkacz ended the season on a high note, taking home his second Masters 1000 in Shanghai after bowing out Russian Andrey Rublev in the final.
The Prediction
Djokovic should be able to redeem the loss he suffered to Sinner that ended the winning streak that had lasted since August. His victory is not in question, but Hurkacz could prove to be a bad customer on such a surface: at least one set is likely to be decided in a tie break. And the total games could be at least 22.
