Djokovic primed for challenges ahead
World No. 1 braces for red-hot Zverev at seasonending ATP Finals
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is hoping to exorcise the ghosts of last year and remain steady for a sixth title at the year-ending Nitto ATP Finals at The O2 Arena this weekend.
The 31-year-old Serbian notched his 50th win of the season to ease his way to an easy 6-4, 6-3 win and extend his domination over American John Isner in their opening roundrobin match late on Monday to take his first step towards a sixth season-ending crown.
Watched by Juventus and Portugal star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, Djokovic was at his best sweeping aside the 6ft 10in American in straight sets in just 73 minutes. Going in with an 8-2 career advantage against ■ Isner, Djokovic cashed in on the 33-year-old American’s errorridden debut at the Finals with a break in the fifth handing him a tough first set in 43 minutes.
Isner improved in the second, but Djokovic raised his game further and a break in the seventh was enough to see him through ahead of his second group match against red-hot Alexander Zverev today. “I’m feeling fit physically and mentally. I’m looking forward to that match [against Zverev],” Djokovic said.
“The good thing about this tournament is that you have days in-between matches, and you’re guaranteed to play three matches in the group. I put myself in a very good position with the group with a straight-sets win. I am looking forward to playing Zverev. It should be a great match. I think we played against each other only twice and we split wins.”
Djokovic has had an amazing season so far beginning with his win at Wimbledon followed by his triumph at the US Open to return to his familiar perch as world No. 1. The Serb has made 10 appearances at the ATP Finals, during which he has won the title five times starting in 2008 followed by four in a row from 2012 to 2015.
The last time Djokovic played at The O2 in the final two years back saw him lose against Britain’s Andy Murray. “It’s quite different. I haven’t been really thinking about it too much,” he said. “I didn’t go through that experience at all. It’s a good thing that I’m kind of in the present moment and trying to take the most out of it.”
In last night’s match, South Africa’s Kevin Anderson demolished Kei Nishikori 6-0, 6-1 in 64 minutes.