(Turin) The world No.1, the Serbian Novak Djokovic, was beaten by the Italian Jannik Sinner (4^e) 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/2) in a group match at the ATP Masters, Tuesday in Turin, and will have to win against the Pole Hubert Hurkacz (9^e) to qualify for the semi-finals.

Supported by his audience, the 22-year-old Italian created a sensation by beating, after more than 3 hours 08 minutes of play, for the first time in his career the Serbian, winner of 24 Grand Slam tournaments and recent winner of the Masters 1000. from Paris.

Difficult winner in his first match against Dane Holger Rune, also in more than three hours, Djokovic this time came up against Sinner, impressing in particular in his management of the decisive game of the last round. The Italian who will face Rune in the last match can still qualify in this very undecided green group.

In the first round, the two men remained neck and neck for a long time. It was ultimately the Italian who managed to break the Serb to take the lead (7-5). The second set, just as tight, came down to a tiebreaker. This time Djokovic was the most solid in the important points to equalize at one set all 7-6 (7/5).

But Sinner, far from admitting defeat, broke Djokovic in the last round to lead 4-2. An advantage that the Serb, however, erased immediately by taking his opponent’s service for the first time during this match, before confirming his put into play thanks to a shutout (4-4). The Italian responded with… a shutout.

Still tied (6-6), the two players had to decide again in the deciding game. This time, the Italian was much stronger than his illustrious elder to conclude 7-6 (7/2)

Earlier, in this same group, Holger Rune, 8^e world, won against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (6^e), forced to retire after only three games, due to a back injury.

The 20-year-old Dane, quarter-finalist at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon this year, remains in the race for a place in the semi-finals.

It is the Pole Hubert Hurkacz who will replace Tsitsipas in the group and will face Djokovic.