The group stage fixtures of the Nitto ATP Finals are drawing to a conclusion after some high-octane performances from the top eight qualified singles players. However, before the stage is set for the semifinal rounds, there are still some more exciting group-stage encounters to come on the hard courts of the round-robin competition in Turin. One such matchup will feature the defending champion, Novak Djokovic, squaring off against the current world No. 9, Hubert Hurkacz.

Even though it is a group-stage match, fans can expect high-quality tennis from both the ATP superstars who have been in remarkable form during the hard court season.

Novak Djokovic vs. Hubert Hurkacz: Group stage match preview

After winning the Paris Masters, the Serbian tennis great entered the indoor hard-court event in Turin with an 18-match winning streak. Later, the top-seed player further extended his streak by prevailing in a three-set opener against Holger Rune, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3. The 20-year-old undoubtedly gave the Serb a difficult assignment, but in the next group stage match in Turin, another young tennis sensation, Jannik Sinner, stunned the ‘Djoker’, with a three-set victory, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7.

Hubert Hurkacz, on the other hand, had to take a quick flight to Italy as he stepped in as the first alternate for the injured Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Polish tennis star is entering the ATP Finals after enjoying a great hard-court season as he clinched the Shanghai Masters title. Apart from this, the current world No. 9 player also secured a runner-up finish at the Swiss Indoors and a quarterfinal finish at the Paris Masters.

Djokovic vs. Hurkacz: Head-to-Head Record

The ATP superstars will now lock horns for the 7th time overall on the tour, with the Serb currently enjoying a massive 6-0 lead in their H2H. Djokovic and Hurkacz faced off twice this season, with the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships serving as the venue for their first encounter. Apart from this, the ‘Djoker’ bagged another victory against Hurkacz during this season’s grass Grand Slam event in London.

Prediction: Djokovic to overcome Hurkacz in straight sets

It is now a dog fight between the Serb and his young colleague, Rune, as they only have one victory in their respective bags, making the final group stage match a must-win for both. Given the green group qualification scenarios, it is the Polish tennis star who will have a huge role to play in it, as his victory against Djokovic might take Rune to the semifinal rounds.

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Nevertheless, the 24-time singles Grand Slam champion, who has been a formidable force on the hard court surface, will avoid such slip-ups by prevailing in straight sets against Hurkacz.

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