TURIN, Italy — Serbian Novak Djokovic had no trouble making his way into the ATP Finals semifinals following a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win over Russia’s Andrey Rublev, Wednesday in Turin.
Five-time winner of this tournament, Djokovic only needed 67 minutes to defeat Rublev and ensure an 11th appearance in the semi-finals in 15 appearances.
Five-time winner of this tournament, Djokovic only needed 67 minutes to defeat Rublev and ensure an 11th appearance in the semi-finals in 15 appearances.
Djokovic will have the opportunity to equal the record of six titles, which belongs to the Swiss Roger Federer. Djokovic’s last triumph dates back to 2015.
In a first set dominated by serving players on the fast Pala Alpitour surface, the first chance for a break did not come until the 10th game. And when Djokovic returned his rival’s serve near the sideline to closing out that first set, Rublev threw his racquet to the ground in frustration.
Djokovic picked up another break of service early in the second set and built a 3-0 lead. In the last two games of this second set, Djokovic conceded only two points and scored another break.
In his first match of the group stage, Djokovic defeated Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets. Tsitsipas will battle Russia’s Daniil Medvedev later today in the final match of the preliminary round in Group Red.
Medvedev also lost his first game of the preliminary phase, against Rublev.
On Tuesday, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal, seeded number one, lost in two sets against Montreal’s Félix Auger-Aliassime and suffered elimination when the Norwegian Casper Ruud won the first set in his duel against the American Taylor Fritz, later in the day.
Ruud eventually won his match in three sets against Fritz and advanced to the semi-finals.
Auger-Aliassime and Fritz will face each other on Thursday evening in Turin and the winner will in turn obtain his ticket to the semi-finals.
