Djokovic sends Tsitsipas packing, likely to get visa to play in 2023 Australian Open
The two-set victory put Djokovic atop the Red Group ahead of the day’s other winner, No. 7 Rublev of Russia, who beat his compatriot Medvedev 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 7-6 (9/7)
Novak Djokovic had enough of an edge at the beginning and the end as he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) on Monday in the ATP Finals, a defeat that ended the Greek’s hopes of finishing the year at number one.
In Turin, Djokovic is chasing a record-equalling sixth title in the season-ending event, previously known as the Masters Cup, that brings together the season’s top eight fit players.
The Serbian broke Tsitsipas in the opening game and was not threatened on his own serve as he took the first set.
Tsitsipas managed the only break point of the second set, in the fourth game, ater two Djokovic double faults, but the Serbian steadied and held serve.
In the tie break, the Serbian raced to a 5-1 lead. Tsitsipas delayed the inevitable by taking three points before Djokovic took his first match point.
The Tsitsipas loss means the injured Carlos Alcaraz will end 2022 at the top of the rankings unless Rafael Nadal, who lost his opening match on Sunday, can win the tournament.
Tsitsipas, who is 24, cannot collect enough points to reach number one even if he rebounds to win the tournament.
Djokovic is tied on five titles in the event with Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl. Only Roger Federer, on six, has won more.
The two-set victory put Djokovic atop the Red Group ahead of the day’s other winner, No. 7 Andrey Rublev of Russia, who beat his compatriot Daniil Medvedev 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 7-6 (9/7).
Rublev appeared on course to take the first set as he opened up a 4-1 lead.
World number five Medvedev, who was inconsistent all day on his serve, mixing 24 aces with eight double faults, batled back, saving two set points at 5-6 to win the set in a tiebreak.
Rublev rediscovered his rhythm in the second set as Medvedev continued to struggle on his serve.
In the third set tie-break, Medvedev saved three match points at 3-6 and then a fourth.
But he was powerless on the fith match point as Rublev closed out the match, slumping on to his back ater two and a half hours on court.
Meanwhile Djokovic will be granted a visa to play in the 2023 Australian Open, local media reports said Tuesday, despite his deportation from the country ahead of this year’s tournament in January.
The Australian government had decided to grant the unvaccinated Serb a visa for the Grand Slam contest, overturning a three-year ban ater his ejection from the country, said national broadcaster ABC and other domestic media.
Australia’s immigration ministry and Tennis Australia were asked by AFP to comment on the reports.
This year’s championship was overshadowed by nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic being put on a plane on the eve of the contest ater a high-stakes legal batle over his visa status.
Djokovic’s three-year ban can be overturned at the discretion of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s centre-let government, which is different to the conservative coalition in power when he was kicked out.
Over the past month there have been hints that the Australian government might have a change of heart.
“Nothing official yet,” Djokovic told reporters ater winning his opening match at the ATP Finals in Turin on Monday night.
“We are waiting. They are communicating with the government of Australia. That’s all I can tell you for now.”
Last month, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said he had spent time with Djokovic recently and the Serbian wanted to return for the first major of the year in January in Melbourne.
“What we’re saying at this point is that Novak and the federal government need to work out the situation. And then we’ll follow any instruction ater that,” Tiley told The Age newspaper at the tournament’s official launch.