Tennis: Djokovic Beats Rublev, Reaches Nitto ATP Semis
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic booked his place in the last four of the Nitto ATP Finals, beating Russian Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-1, at the Turin showpiece on Wednesday.
After the first nine games went with serve, Djokovic stepped up and outclassed Rublev.
The Russian, who like Djokovic had won his opening match at the last event of the year, capitulated when serving to stay in the opener, losing the set as Djokovic thumped a backhand return winner. The second set was a non-event as five-time champion Djokovic roared to victory in little more than an hour.
Amazing win, epic family celebration 😘#NittoATPFinals | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/pNZoH3Yx8W
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 16, 2022
“I played one of my best matches of the year,” Djokovic said on court. “I found the right attitude and the right game and once I won the first set his energy went down.”
“In the second set I just wanted to use that momentum and it was a flawless second set.”
Despite being guaranteed a place in the weekend’s semi-finals when Djokovic will hope to equal Roger Federer’s title record at the ATP’s season-ender, the 35-year-old Serbian said he will not be relaxing against Medvedev on Friday.
“It won’t just be a stroll in the park,” Djokovic added. “Knowing I’m in the semis it’s a great boost but at the same time I want to focus on every match.”
If the 21-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic wins the title this week, he will be the oldest player ever to do so in the history of the competition.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters/ATP Tour.
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