Novak Djokovic has started the defence of his title at the ATP Finals by crushing Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-1, at the O2 Arena.
Djokovic is bidding to win his 11th title of 2015 at the prestigious year-end championship and become the first man in history to win the ATP Finals four consecutive times. Leading up to the final event of 2015, Djokovic defeated Andy Murray to claim a record breaking sixth Masters title of the season at the BNP Paribas Masters. In Contrast Nishikori was forced to end his presence at the tournament early due to injury.
The world No.1 settled into the match instantly as he dominated proceedings on the court to take the first game before having a double chance to break Nishikori in his first service game. The Japanese player successfully fended off both of the break points, with the help of a poor drop shot from Djokovic, but was still unable to prevent the Serbian from breaking him as Djokovic surged to a 3-0 lead. Despite the early onslaught, Nishikori finally got himself onto the scoreboard as he took the fourth game following an unforced error from his opponent, setting off a big cheer at the O2 Arena. Despite getting on the scoreboard, Nishikori was unable to tame Djokovic. The world No.1 moved effortlessly around the court, pushing Nishikori side to side, as he broke once again to lead 5-1. Serving for the first set, Djokovic fired a serve out wide to get two set points. He required only one as a second successive serve out wide force the world No.8 to return into the net.
The Djokovic dominance continued as he broke at the start of the second set due to a sluggish unforced error from Nishikori. Despite the one-sided scoreline, the world No.8 did at times produced impressive play, but they were rare against the brilliant display produced from the top seed. Last year Nishikori was the only player to take a set off Djokovic during the ATP Finals.
Leading by a set and a break, Djokovic appeared relaxed on the court against an increasingly frustrated Nishikori. The pressure applied by the 28-year-old was relentless as he broke yet again to grab a strong hold on the match, leading by a set and 4-1. Nishikori appeared on course to claim his third game of the match before a double fault enabled Djokovic to level at deuce. As the pressure bombarded Nishikori, a forehand unforced error gave Djokovic his first match point. The top seed only required one match point as he finished off a beautifully constructed rally with a backhand winner at the net to secure the victory.
During the 66-minute match, Djokovic lost only nine points on his serve. In addition the world No.1 also produced 6 aces, 17 winners and converted 5/9 break points.
Following his win, Djokovic received a trophy from the ATP for finishing the year as the world No.1. It is the fourth time in Djokovic’s career that he has ended the year at the top of the world rankings after 2011, 2012 and 2014. Following his trophy presentation, Djokovic reflected on his year.
“Undoubtedly it has been the most successful and best year of my life. I have become a father and got married. Those are the kind of trophies that means that most. These have positively reflected on my performance this year”. Said Djokovic.
“2011 and 2015 has stood out, I look back at them with pride and joy”.
The top seed also thanked his team for supporting him throughout the year, including both his family as well as his coaching team.
“They are helping me each and every day to get better, not just as a player but as a person”. He said.
Djokovic ended his on-court interview by paying tribute to the victims in last Friday’s Paris terror attacks, ending with an applause from the London crowd.
