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Dominant Djokovic crushes Nishikori to bid for sixth season-ending title

Ros Satar
Ros SatarTennis

 

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By Ros Satar at the ATP World Tour Finals, London

  • Novak Djokovic [2] def. Kei Nishikori [5] 6-1 6-1
  • Sets up showdown with Andy Murray for the World No. 1 spot and title
LONDON, ENGLAND – Novak Djokovic demonstrated ably why he has been the dominant force at the Barclays ATP World Tour finals for the last four years after sweeping Kei Nishikori aside to face Andy Murray on Sunday.

 

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After the high drama of the first semi-final, crowds were kept waiting for almost an hour before the start of the evening session. In a beat-down very reminiscent of their round robin match last year, Novak Djokovic was in devastating form, blowing Kei Nishikori off the court for the loss of just two games.

Although it is doubtful that a small disturbance in the crowd as a spectator appeared to try and get past the barriers on to court before Nishikori’s first service game will have disrupted him too much, the lack of a forehand, or the ability to hurt Djokovic with his serves cost Nishikori dear.

Unable to hold his serve at all in the first set, the only respite came for the Japanese player when he finally managed to get a break back to at least get on the board. The spirit of resistance was not quite dead as he made Djokovic work for the first set, saving two set points and bringing up two break points before surrendering the first set in just 35 minutes.

The second set was not much better – broken in the furst two service games, he finally stopped the rot of six games on the trot but any hopes of a Nishikori comeback were soon thwarted when Djokovic broke for the match.

He said, after the match: “The best performance of the tournament came really at the right time. Everything kind of clicked together tonight.

“I felt really well. I started with a great pace, great concentration, dictating the play, mixing up the pace. Everything was going well. I must be very pleased. I enjoyed myself.

“I tried to make myself present on the court, make him feel that I’m playing till the last shot, which I did. Even 6-1, 5-1, I was really committed. All in all it was a really good performance. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s final.”

The final of the ATP World Tour Finals will take place at 6pm GMT.