Expert picks are back for the Nitto ATP Finals championship match on Sunday, when world No. 1 Novak Djokovic faces crowd favorite Jannik Sinner. A three-team panel previews the action and makes its predictions.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (4) Jannik Sinner
Ricky: This is a rematch of what has been the best match of the tournament to date. During round-robin competition in the Green Group, Sinner outlasted Djokovic 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) in a battle that lasted more than three hours. Asking the 22-year-old Italian to beat Djokovic twice in the same tournament is simply too much. Djokovic is already a six-time champion of this event and he is making his ninth final appearance. The top-seeded Serb was absolutely dominant in his semifinal match against Carlos Alcaraz, too. That being said, this could be another thriller. Sinner is 4-0 in this week and is playing incredible tennis in front a raucous Turin crowd. I can’t pick against Djokovic because he will be more motivated than he was on Tuesday, when it wasn’t a must-win situation. But it’s not going to be easy. Djokovic in 3: 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Cheryl: It’s a rematch from just a few days ago. Sinner played inspired tennis to give Djokovic his first loss since he fell short in the Wimbledon title match against Alcaraz. It was the first time Sinner managed to get a ‘W’ against Djokovic. The problem (for Sinner and the Carota Boys, anyway), is that this isn’t a round-robin match. On Sunday they are playing for all the marbles. And Djokovic is just…different when he’s playing in the final. Sure, Sinner’s going to have the crowd in a frenzy. And the Italian has been in the form of his young career this fall. I’d even generally say that the surface is a slight edge to Sinner, since it’s quick enough that it limits the amount of retrieving the world No. 1 can do. But even with all of that said, unless Djokovic is playing a peak Rafael Nadal at the French Open I simply do not pick against the Serb when he is in a title match. He’s too clutch and he’s done it so many times; he’s an expert at managing the pressure. Djokovic in 3: 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-2.
Pete (Tennis Acumen): Can Sinner actually accomplish the nearly unthinkable task of defeating Djokovic twice in less than a week? He is most definitely going to give it his best shot and–if successful–will have run the table, going a perfect five-for-five in matches played and won in securing the ATP Finals title. Although this is unchartered territory for the Italian, Djokovic is more than familiar with the course and his seeking his seventh title in nine appearances in the final at the year-ending event. This time it is unlikely that Djokovic will lose a service game up 40-0, as he did much to the delight of the partisan and wild Italian crowd when they met in the qualification rounds. My biggest takeaway from both semifinals was the fact that Djokovic was a perfect four-for-four in break points saved against Alcaraz. Ironically, Sinner was also not broken in the two opportunities that Medvedev had on Saturday. Now, with the amount of information he extracted from their recent previous match, Djokovic will also be better able to maintain his composure with the crowd. I expect that to help him secure early breaks in each set, and his ability to successfully protect his own serve will steer him to the win. Djokovic in 2: 6-3, 6-4.
WHO YA GOT?
Nole in three 64 67 64
Novak Djokovic to win, I don’t see him losing twice in a roll to J. Sinner In the same tournament.
Although it’s possible for Djokovic to lose again, Sinner is in incredible form and home court advantage, the Italians will show up for him.
I see the match going to 3 sets as well like their last match did 7-5 6-7 7-6 but I think we might be surprised this might end in 2 sets, I thought Alcaraz vs Novak would end in 3 sets but Novak had a different plan 6-3 6-2.
Heart says sinner in 3.
Head says Djok in 2.
Is Novak going to be conducting the boos from the crowds again?!
I increasingly don’t think his getting into it with the crowd helps him. Seems to get distracted.
He never used to be like this as I remember. He had to play Fed who had the most rabid crowd support of all time but I don’t remember him getting worked up about it like he does know.
Think he was much more prepared to accept it with Fed and to a lesser extent Rafa than he is with the young guys.
right, he thinks he should be the crowd favorite against them.
but he isn’t
I do think he was MUCH more prepared to accept it with fedal.
Think he gets very irritated by the young guys getting it against him. Especially in the wimby final this year.
I don’t blame him in many ways
He will never be as popular as Rafa and Roger. He tries hard, but it’s not happening. Novak is an amazing player and just needs to let it go. However, I do think when the crowd is so against him, he plays even better. But he’ll never be my GOAT. I’ll hang with Rafa!! You know what?? They’ve played 59 times and just one match between them. Plus, Rafa has been sidelined with injuries a lot during his career. If not for that…. the record might be a different story……but it is what it is. The rivalry between the big three has been awesome. I’m missing it…….
Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry (and some others) will carry the tour forward
Rune
He didn’t at wimby Okiegal. He waa,really getting into it with the crowd and lost focus.
True about Rafa!! Without his injuries he would be way out in front…
I know…. I chuckled!! Watched every bit of that match. I do agree that Novak can lose focus. He does the most irritating things on court. Can you imagine Rafa interacting with the crowd and calling out a spectator?? He’s got rabbit ears for sure and doesn’t miss a thing from the crowd. Lol
Can’t remember which match it was when he did a crying motion to a fan of his opponent.
He doesn’t like the young guys getting all the crowd support. That’s because he doesn’t respect them like he did fedal.
Amy, I remember the crying motion. I also remember him using the hang up the phone routine that Ben Shelton started. He can be rather childish for a man that’s raising children. Wowzer, it’s coming a downpour in Ada, OK!! This is a good thing. It’s been so dry.
Oh God Petchey is here again. Somebody shoot me…
Bang! Bang!
I can’t stand it Margot!!
It’s intolerable listening to his rubbish…
Apartfrom Ptch, of course, I’ve really enjoyed this ATP final. Don’t know what I’ll do when Amazon loses the rights.
Uh oh, Sinner broken already!
Yes been great tour finals and Turin excellent. What are we going to do without Amazon?!! Al will get Sky but I don’t want to pay for Murdoch…
I’m a Nole fan but wish he would just keep his head down and play. Would win people’s hearts more
Al, I agree 100%! He needs to chill out regarding the crowd interaction. Congratulations to your fave on his win. I didn’t watch…. I’m watching my Dallas Cowboy football game. I’ll catch the replay later tonight on the Tennis Channel. Have a great day!
Amazon? I much prefer Nick Lester.The commentary has been very high level
Generally
Thought Amazon was losing the tennis?
Bick Lester is my favourite.
NICK even!
Sadly yes.
Oh, Novak in two….I’m not sure Sinner has anything left in the tank. I’m sure the older guy does. He’s proved that many times. I mean you think he’s on his last legs, hands shaking at the changeover, calls for the trainer…. and boom baby he won the match against all odds! He’s Superman!
From a tactical point of view, Sinner should have lost to Rune
Oh dear. Pretty one sided. Great from Novak but erratic from Sinner.
Not convinced by Sinner’s fh.
Disappointing final, bur well played Djokovich. Better than ever?
Don’t think so. His serve is better and stronger mentally but he played better in the past ie 2011.
Novak wins. Sinner fh badly exposed today. Not ready to win a slam imo.
Sinner had a lot of chances in the second half of the second set and really blew them badly. He has really stepped up against the field but shown too much weakness to make me think he can win a slam next year.
Congrats to Novak fans!! Especially Al and Elizabeth if she is watching..
Your guy is absolutely amazing. Incredible champion.
Thanks. I really like Sinner and Meddy but Nole is still head and shoulders above them as a Champion.
I was surprised how one sided it was though. And also with Alcaraz.
Thanks. I really like Sinner and Meddy but Nole is still head and shoulders above them as a Champion.
I was surprised how one sided it was though. And also with Alcaraz.
To be fair Sinner was tired and lot of pressure to beat Nole again.
Why would be Sinner more tired than Nole, he played early afternoon, Nole played late evening match, he is 14 years Nole junior, recovery time is much shorter for the youngster?!
Well mentally tired at least. Often happens after a huge week.
I wasn’t that surprised by how one sided the final was given the one sidedness of the semi. And that was with Alcaraz serving at 86% and at one point having 11 aces to Novak’s 1. Without this incredible serving performance Novak would have wiped the floor with him.
Congrats to the best player that has ever played tennis.
Novak Djokovic 🏆💯❤👏
I still prefer Murray and Fed, but have to agree he’s greater.