Novak Djokovic continued his dominance over Stefanos Tsitsipas with a 6-4 7-6(4) win after Andrey Rublev battled again to defeat fellow Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-7(7) 6-3 7-6(7) in group stage play on the ATP Finals in Turin on Monday.
Djokovic’s excellent serving, mighty forehand and all-court defence delivered him a ninth straight win over Tsitsipas of their Crimson Group match.
Djokovic broke the Greek within the opening sport and rode that benefit to seize the primary set in a match that got here simply two weeks after the Serbian beat Tsitsipas on the Paris Masters, a match that can be performed on indoor arduous courts.
Tsitsipas lastly acquired his lone have a look at a break level alternative whereas main 2-1 within the second set however Djokovic crushed an overhead to erase the hazard.
Tsitsipas confirmed indicators of life within the tiebreak when he battle again from 5-1 right down to get to 5-4 however Djokovic pounded two exact serves to achieve the end line.
Earlier, Rublev mentioned his sixth profession assembly with Medvedev reminded him of his encounter with the world quantity 5 on the 2020 U.S. Open quarter-finals, the place he misplaced in straight units, and the 25-year-old was decided to beat his poor begin.
However having shaken off the frustration of squandering seven set factors within the opener, Rublev hit again with 25 winners within the subsequent two and held his nerve within the deciding tiebreak to seal the victory on his fifth match level.
“I used to be enthusiastic about the U.S. Open, as a result of after we performed within the quarter-finals in 2020 I believe I used to be 5-1 in a tiebreak, additionally one thing like 6-2, however I used to be main one thing related in a tiebreak,” Rublev mentioned.
“However after I misplaced that set, I could not play anymore, and I used to be pondering it could actually’t occur (once more) I’ve to vary one thing. I’ve to maintain taking part in, as a result of if I win one set, even when I lose in three units, it is nonetheless good, as a result of right here you have got a gaggle.
“So it’s a must to battle for each level, each sport, and I used to be capable of win. The ultimate tiebreak, the rallies that we had there have been loopy. The final rally, we had I do not know, 30 pictures.”
Rublev mentioned he was cramping in direction of the top of the second Crimson Group contest earlier than successful a 37-shot rally on match level, after which he dropped to the ground in delight.
“I used to be pondering ‘yet another, yet another. You must hold taking part in’,” Rublev, who additionally beat Medvedev within the Cincinnati semi-finals final 12 months, mentioned.
“For positive, he felt the identical, ‘so simply hold taking part in if in case you have the prospect, go for it’. Ultimately I used to be capable of win.”
Djokovic will subsequent play Rublev whereas Tsitsipas will face Medvedev within the second spherical of the spherical robin stage of the season-ending match for the world’s prime eight gamers.
This story has been printed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content. Solely the headline has been modified.