ATP Finals 2022: Novak Djokovic emulates Roger Federer after beating Casper Ruud to win sixth title

ATP Finals 2022: Novak Djokovic equaled Roger Federer’s document for many ATP Finals titles as he defeated Casper Ruud in straight units in Sunday’s closing in Turin.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 21, 2022 01:35 IST

Novak Djokovic gained his sixth ATP Finals 2022 title in Turin (AP Photo)

By Akshay Ramesh: Novak Djokovic firmly established his dominance over the remainder of the lads’s singles discipline by cruising to a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals crown in Turin, Italy on Sunday, November 20. Djokovic defeated World No. 3 Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-3 in lower than 2 hours within the closing of the season-ending event.

It was a press release victory for Djokovic, who gained his fifth title on the tour in 2022, which additionally contains the Wimbledon crown. Cheered on by his spouse Jelena and his workforce, Djokovic was pumped up as he ended a troublesome season on a excessive, sending a warning discover to his challengers forward of the brand new season whereby he could be heading to the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic equaled Roger Federer’s document of essentially the most titles within the ATP Finals and the 35-year-old additionally turned the oldest man to win the season-ending crown, going previous the Swiss’s document — 30 years previous in 2011. It was the third metropolis the place Djokovic reigned supreme within the ATP Finals after Shangai in 2008 and London in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The Serb additionally ended a 6-year look forward to the crown.

Djokovic took house greater than USD 4.7 million, which included the bonus for having been undefeated in Turin within the ATP Finals. After warding off a agency menace from Daniil Medvedev in his closing group-stage match, Djokovic defeated USA’s Taylor Fritz within the semi-final in straight units.

NOT 100 % BUT DOMINANT

On Sunday, regardless of feeling underneath the climate, Djokovic received the job completed in straight units in opposition to Ruud, who was taking part in his first ATP Finals. The Serb appeared shaky in the course of the first set however he was in a position to give attention to the job at hand. Djokovic missed break level alternatives within the 2nd and eighth video games within the first set however he transformed a decisive break level at 6-5 to take the primary set.

Once he sealed the early benefit, there was no stopping Djokovic as he steamrolled Ruud, dominating the second set, hitting back-of-the-court winners at will. Djokovic’s service recreation was on level on Sunday as Ruud was not in a position to break the Serb even as soon as within the closing.

Djokovic didn’t face a single break level all through the match and fired in 31 winners, 14 greater than Ruud, who was struggling together with his second serves.

The Serb will end the 12 months as No. 5 regardless of having missed the Australian Open and US Open as a consequence of his unvaccinated standing.

GRACIOUS IN DEFEAT

Casper Ruud, who had a breakthrough 12 months on the tour, successful as many as 3 titles and reaching the finals of the French Open and the US Open, was gracious in defeat. The Norwegian lauded Djokovic for his efforts to beat obstacles and be there within the season-ending event and go on to win it.

Ruud had a chance to complete the 12 months as No. 2 however he was not in a position to step up within the huge closing, struggling his 4th straight defeat to Djokovic on the tour.

“It motivates me to comeback stronger,” 23-year-old Ruud mentioned as he appreciated the help from the followers in what was a memorable season.

Published On:

Nov 21, 2022