Anderson trounces Nishikori; Djoker wins
london — Kevin Anderson handed Japan’s Kei Nishikori a humiliating 6-0, 6-1 thrashing at the ATP Finals as the South African moved to the brink of a semifinal berth on Tuesday.
Late Monday, Novak Djokovic sent out a warning to his rivals, brushing aside big-serving John Isner 6-4, 6-3 to launch his bid for a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title in style.
World number one Djokovic, though, was playing a different game, appearing little troubled by the howitzers coming off the giant Isner’s racquet — breaking his opponent three times and not conceding a single break point on his own serve.
Djokovic hit just six unforced errors and won 86 percent of points on his serve. “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.”
Anderson, meanwhile, won the first 11 games and needed only 64 minutes to demolish the woeful Nishikori in a remarkably one-sided group stage clash at London’s O2 Arena.
Having also won his opening match against Dominic Thiem in his debut at the prestigious season-ending event, Anderson is close to becoming the first African to qualify for the last four at the ATP Finals. The 32-yearold’s place will be secure if Thiem beats Roger Federer, or if Federer defeats Thiem in three sets later on Tuesday.
It was a landmark moment for Wimbledon finalist Anderson, who has set a new career-high of 47 victories in a calender year.
He will rarely have had such an easy outing as this one throughout his memorable 2018.
Anderson won the Vienna final at Nishikori’s expense in October before losing to the Japanese star in the Paris Masters four days later.
But the close nature of those matches was a distant memory as Nishikori, who had beaten Federer in straight sets on Sunday, put his hopes of a semifinal spot in jeopardy with this tame surrender. Anderson’s final group match is against Federer on Thursday, while Nishikori faces Thiem. —
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
Novak Djokovic