ATP Finals 2023: Semifinals Storylines to Watch After Friday's Results

After six days of play, the ATP Finals semi-final round is set, and it's only fitting that it includes the top four ranked players on tour.

Daniil Medvedev takes on home favorite Jannik Sinner in the morning, followed by Novak Djokovic versus Carlos Alcaraz in the afternoon.

With tons at stake for all four men today, here's everything you can expect, from storylines to matchup expectations.

Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz

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TURIN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 16: Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland during the Men's Singles Round Robin match on day five of the Nitto ATP Finals at Pala Alpitour on November 16, 2023 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Tullio Puglia/Getty Images)

It's only fitting that we get to see Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz face each other one more time before the year ends.

The two, who have already played each other in three memorable matches this year and four times across their careers, will meet again today at 3:00 p.m. ET, with a spot in the ATP Finals at stake.

For both, there's a bit of history on the line.

Djokovic is looking to break a tie with Roger Federer and keep his hopes alive of winning a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion and world No. 1 was guaranteed qualification following Jannik Sinner's victory over Holger Rune.

The Serbian has now qualified for the semi-final for the fourth straight year and the 10th time in the last 12 years.

Meanwhile, his opponent is looking to make some history of his own.

Still just 20 years old, Alcaraz is hoping to become the second youngest player to win an ATP Final in their debut (John McEnroe, 1978) and the youngest ATP Finals champion since Andre Agassi in 1990—20 years, six months, and 13 days.

Alcaraz comes into this matchup with an encouraging 6-4, 6-4 victory over Daniil Medvedev, where he excelled at the net and hit 22 winners.

While the Spaniard has struggled in the last few weeks and at one point just a few days ago was on a four-match losing streak, he has shown time and time again to show up in the biggest moments, including his match against Medvedev yesterday.

Djokovic's dominance on the hard-court surface speaks for itself, and Carlos Alcaraz will have to play at a level higher than he currently is.

Alcaraz will have to rise to Djokovic's intensity from the get-go and adapt a net-game early if he wants to win.

In what should be another physical match among the ones they've already had, Djokovic should be able to do just enough and escape this in a three-set thriller.

Daniil Medvedev vs. Jannik Sinner

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TURIN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 16: Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates a point against Holger Rune of Denmark during the Men's Singles Round Robin match on day five of the Nitto ATP Finals at Pala Alpitour on November 16, 2023 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Don't let Daniil Medvedev's 6-2 advantage over Jannik Sinner in their eight head-to-head hard-court surface matches fool you.

This one should be a battle.

Medvedev enters this match off the heels of a straight-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz in a match he didn't need to win, though was still disappointed to lose.

In his 14 indoor hard court matches this year, Medvedev boasts a record of 11-3.

His most recent opponent, Carlos Alcaraz, was able to make the most of his strong net abilities, winning 20 of 25 net points, consistently shortening points up, and denying Medvedev time to hit his angles.

Medvedev's road to the final will not get any easier, especially considering his opponent, Jannik Sinner, who has been playing the best tennis in the world right now.

The 22-year-old Italian has won 16 of his 17 indoor hard court matchups this year and enters the semi-final undefeated after earning his first ever wins against Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic.

The home crowd favorite has been playing some incredible tennis this week with his powerful groundstrokes and much improved second serve.

While Medvedev owns the head-to-head matchup 6-2, it's been Sinner who has won the last two matches, both on hard-court surfaces in October.

While Sinner has the slight edge due to form and momentum on the surface right now, one thing to keep an eye on will be how the physicality of this match affects him.

Sinner is coming off back-to-back three-set matches and struggled throughout the second and third sets before beating Holger Rune.

If this match goes the distance, will his play suffer?

Even in that case, Sinner has shown himself again and again this week; no moment is too big for him.

Behind a raucous home crowd, the Italian should be able to navigate his way to his third consecutive win against Medvedev and move on to the ATP Final.