Novak Djokovic will end the year as world number one for a record eighth time after he beat Holger Rune at the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.<\/span><\/p>\n The 24-time Grand Slam champion overcame the Dane 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 in his opening Green Group match at the season-ending event on Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Victory for Djokovic extends his winning run to 19 consecutive matches.<\/span><\/p>\n The 36-year-old Serb won three Slams in 2023 to become the all-time record-holder of major titles.<\/span><\/p>\n Rune, 20, who is making his debut at the event, claimed the first break to lead 3-2 before Djokovic hit back and went on to win the opening set tie-break.<\/span><\/p>\n Rune reacted well and continued his streak of winning a set in every previous meeting with Djokovic to level the game in a second set tie-break.<\/span><\/p>\n Djokovic broke immediately in the deciding set, but Rune was able to respond before the Serb broke for a second time and ended the youngster’s challenge.<\/span><\/p>\n Djokovic is on course for a seventh ATP Finals title, which would make him the record-holder, having equalled Roger Federer on six last year.<\/span><\/p>\n Djokovic told Prime Video: “It took everything. I saw in the first game when he fired shots from the baseline, I knew it was going to be a tough night for me. I thought he played great. I played great in some moments.<\/span><\/p>\n “Overall, a win is a win. It was a very emotional win and a tough win knowing the significance of tonight’s match. After a really terrible second-set tie-break, I think I played a really solid third set.”<\/span><\/p>\n Earlier on Sunday, home favourite and fourth seed <\/span>Jannik Sinner<\/strong> beat <\/span>Stefanos Tsitsipas<\/strong> in straight sets.<\/span><\/p>\n Sinner put in a dominant performance to win 6-4 6-4, sealing victory with his ninth ace.<\/span><\/p>\n Greece’s Tsitsipas, the 2019 champion, struggled to match his opponent and did not force a single break point.<\/span><\/p>\n “I was excited to step on court and opening the Finals is really, really special,” Sinner, 22, said.<\/span><\/p>\n “I knew it was going to be very tough but I think I handled the situation well. I tried to stay aggressive and I am very happy with the performance. <\/span><\/p>\n “I am happy to start off with a win and hopefully I can continue with this intensity.”<\/span><\/p>\n It is the first time Sinner has qualified for the ATP Finals on merit, having replaced Matteo Berrettini in the line-up for the 2021 edition after his compatriot withdrew through injury. <\/span><\/p>\n This year he reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon and won his maiden Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open in August.<\/span><\/p>\n He came into his tie with Tsitsipas having trailed the sixth seed 5-2 in their head-to-head but looked relaxed on court as he saw out the win in one hour 25 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Jannik](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/8DFE\/production\/_131705363_89a439e33f645050542067fa26845ac6a09b02ca.jpg\")
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