Djokovic beats Ruud for sixth Finals title

Novak Djokovic claimed a record-equaling sixth ATP Finals title by beating the third-seeded Casper Ruud on Sunday in Turin, Italy, to top a fantastic finish to the season for the Serb.

Djokovic won 7-5, 6-3 to secure his first title at the event since 2015 and match Roger Federer’s record.

The 35-year-old Djokovic, who had lost his two previous finals at the event, raised his arms out and smiled broadly after sealing the match with an ace.

“Seven years has been a long time,” Djokovic said. “At the same time, the fact that I waited seven years makes this victory even sweeter and even bigger.”

Djokovic became the oldest champion at the year-end tournament and also earned the largest payday in tennis history as he walked away with $4.7 million for claiming the ATP Finals trophy undefeated.

Golf: Lydia Ko never won more in one day than on Sunday in the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Fla., where she claimed the richest prize in women’s golf at $2 million with a victory that allowed her to win LPGA Player of the Year.

• Rory McIlroy finished the year as Europe’s top-ranked golfer for the fourth time — and first since 2015 — despite Jon Rahm winning the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

• Adam Svensson closed with a 6-under 64 to win the RSM Classic in Saint Simons Island, Ga., for his first PGA Tour victory.

Skiing: Overall World Cup champion Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States wasted no time in taking control of a new season, sweeping the two season-opening races. Shiffrin posted the fastest time in both runs on the way to her 49th slalom victory in Levi, Finland, just a day after winning another slalom in Finnish Lapland. NHL: Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists, and the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins topped the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 for their third straight win . ... Boone Jenner had two goals, Sean Kuraly scored shorthanded and Daniil Tarasov turned back 46 shots as the host Columbus Blue Jackets won 5-3, sending the Florida Panthers to their third straight loss.

Motor sports: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won a record-extending 15th race of the year at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to conclude one of the most dominant seasons in Formula One history. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc held off Sergio Perez’s challenge on old tires to finish second and clinch second place in the championship standings.