Novak Djokovic claims record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title
The Serb beat Norway's Casper Ruud in straight sets in Turin to match Roger Federer's tally of six ATP Finals triumphs.
Tennis
Serbian great Novak Djokovic powered his way to a sixth ATP Finals title in Turin on Sunday (20 November).
Djokovic defeated a tenacious Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-3 to equal the tournament record held by Roger Federer and become its oldest champion at 35.
It was his first success in the event since 2015, having won it for the first time back in 2008.
He told the ATP afterwards, "It's been a long time, and the fact that I waited seven years makes this victory even sweeter and even bigger. It is a big relief and a lot of satisfaction.
"Usually, these kinds of matches are decided by small margins, and one break of serve was enough in both sets."
Djokovic brought up two break points on Ruud’s first service game, but unforced errors allowed the Norwegian to secure a vital hold.
Ruud saved another break point at 4-4, but he could not serve out for a tiebreak with the 21-time Grand Slam winner taking a step closer to yet another title.
And Djokovic's confidence grew with each winner in the second set as he broke early for a 3-1 advantage.
He then won an exhausting 36-shot rally to bring up match point, before serving his ninth ace of the match to end his turbulent season in fine style.
Earlier, Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury finally tasted doubles victory at the ATP Finals, beating Olympic champions Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic 7-6(4), 6-2.
The American-British duo has featured in the season-ending championship of the ATP Tour for four straight years and came painstakingly close to winning the title after losing the 2021 final.
The US Open champions made it fourth-time lucky with a resounding victory over Croatian pair and, in doing so, bowed out without losing a match throughout the week.
Ram and Salisbury came into the final with their tails up after exacting revenge on defending champions Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski in the semi-final the day before.
Pavic and Mektic won a historic first gold medal in tennis for Croatia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after beating compatriots Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig 6-4, 3-6, 10-6 in the final of the showpiece. Mektic was denied a second ATP Finals crown after winning the 2020 title with Koolhof.