World No.1 Novak Djokovic has got his Asian swing off to a perfect start after clinching the Japan Open on Sunday without dropping a set in the entire tournament.
The 16-time grand slam champion overcame a spirited challenge from Australia’s John Millman to prevail 6-2, 6-3. A player best known for knocking Roger Federer out of the US Open last year en route to the quarter-finals. However, Millman proved to be no match against Djokovic, who hit 23 winners to 19 unforced errors without facing a single break point.
“‘It was a fantastic week in every sense.” Djokovic said during an on-court interview. “I felt great on the court, felt really welcome from the Japanese people off the court as well. They made me feel at home. Didn’t drop a set, played really well, served great… overall great experience.”
In the opener it a single break that separated the two players. Four games into the match, a Millman forehand landed out to reward the Serbian his first break point. An opportunity Djokovic seized with a winning forehand at the net to break for a 3-1 lead. Despite nudging ahead, Millman continued to fight hard on the court, but failed to find a way to break back. Enabling the top seed to close out the first set with an unreturned serve out wide.
Continuing to dictate the proceedings, Djokovic rallied to a double break at the start of the second frame. In both of those games he managed to break in rallies that concluded with a mistake made from across the court. It wasn’t so much that Millman was playing poor, but Djokovic was playing at a level above him on the court. The breakthrough was enough to guide the top seed towards victory after 69 minutes of play. Serving for the title, Djokovic closed the match out with the help of a Millman backhand crashing into the net.
“He had a great tournament. I mean, considering he was close to losing in the first round of qualifying, to get this far I think he’ll take it.” The new champion said of his rival.
“He’s a great fighter. He started off really solid in the match today. In the first set it was a tough battle. In the second I stepped it up and swinging (the racket) a little bit better.”
The Japan Open is the first tournament Djokovic has played since withdrawing from Flushing Meadows due to a shoulder injury. It is the 10th time he has won an ATP Tournament on his debut and first since Eastbourne 2017. He overtakes Roger Federer for the most matches won this season with 46 under his belt. Only Rafael Nadal (48) and Daniil Medvedev (54) has won more in 2019.
“I think this is definitely a level higher than the last couple of months in terms of my tennis and hopefully I can maintain it for Shanghai as well.” Djokovic concluded about his latest performance.
Djokovic exits Tokyo with 500 ranking points and $391,430 in prize money. He has now won 76 titles on the ATP Tour so far, including four this season alone. The sixth highest tally in the Open Era by a male tennis player.
