DJOKOVIC EASES PAST ISNER IN OPENING CLASH OF ATP FINALS

Novak Djokovic sent out a warning to his rivals at the ATP Finals on Monday, brushing aside big-serving John Isner 6-4, 6-3 to launch his bid for a recordequalling sixth ATP Finals title in style.

On Tuesday, Kevin Anderson came within a whisker of a rare “double bagel” when he trounced Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-0, 6-1.

World No 1 Djokovic played a different game, appearing little troubled by the howitzers coming off the giant Isner’s racquet.

In stark contrast to second seed Roger Federer, who produced an error-strewn performance in defeat to Kei Nishikori on Sunday, Djokovic hit just six unforced errors and won 86 percent of points on his serve, making a mockery of the apparent challenging nature of the surface.

“The match was great, obviously,” said the 31-year-old. “I had three breaks of serve of John which is sometimes mission impossible but I managed to be at the right place at the right time.

Earlier, Zverev kept his nerve at the key moments to beat Marin Cilic 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/1), recovering from a break down in each set.

INDIA TO HOST ITALY ON GRASS IN KOLKATA

NEWDELHI:India will host Italy on grass in the Qualifiers for the Davis Cup Finals at the South Club in Kolkata on February 1-2.

Kolkata was chosen as the venue only after the All India Tennis Association secured two key exemptions from the International Tennis Federation.

The rules require that World Group and Play-off ties be played at a venue where the space behind the baseline is 27 feet and there is a seating capacity of 4000.

Only DLTA and centre court at MSLTA fulfil the requirements but they do not have grasscourts.