Novak Djokovic beat Andrey Rublev Highlights: World No 1 Novak Djokovic became the first player to book his berth in the semifinals with a clinical win against Andrey Rublev. With a 6-3, 6-2 thrashing in the second group match, Djokovic sealed his place in the semifinals of the ATP Finals 2021 in Turin, Italy. Follow ATP Finals 2021 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.in.
It was his 50th win of the year and the World No 1 is chasing a record-equalling sixth trophy at the season finale. With Daniil Medvedev winning the Red Group on Tuesday, a possible World No. 1 versus No. 2 final is on the cards come November 21.
ATP Finals 2021: Novak Djokovic cruises to semifinals with 6-3, 6-2 thrashing of Andrey Rublev
The GREATEST defender of all time…
Novak. Djokovic.#NittoATPFinals @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/mPG6037eRB
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 17, 2021
Through to his 10th semi-final at the ATP Finals (40-16 match record), the seven-time year-end No. 1 in the ATP Rankings, will look to carry his momentum into Friday’s round-robin match against British alternate Cameron Norrie, who has replaced Stefanos Tsitsipas (right elbow) in the elite field.
Novak Djokovic beat Andrey Rublev Highlights: Djokovic, who has won his past six matches, was ruthlessly efficient and never let Rublev get to grips with his serve, winning 34 of 48 deliveries in their first ATP Head2Head meeting. The match lasted 68 minutes.
Rublev was unable to capitalise on an early service break and by the fifth game Djokovic had settled, getting out of trouble with a trademark blow, an inch-perfect backhand winner down the line. It was very much first-strike tennis and through six games, only one point had gone over nine strokes.
ATP Finals 2021: Novak Djokovic cruises to semifinals with 6-3, 6-2 thrashing of Andrey Rublev
Novak Djokovic beat Andrey Rublev Highlights: Djokovic largely directed play away from Rublev’s forehand, the Russian’s biggest weapon, and reaped the reward when the World No. 1 drew Rublev to the net and broke for a 5-3 advantage with a backhand crosscourt winner. After his first-game wobble, Djokovic served with greater confidence and closed out the 36-minute opener with an ace, having won 88 per cent of his first-service points in the set.
Never gets old to watch…
Unbelievable movement from @DjokerNole
#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/kNtWV2x8qi— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 17, 2021
ATP Finals 2021: Novak Djokovic cruises to semifinals with 6-3, 6-2 thrashing of Andrey Rublev
Rublev, who’d played a World No. 1 on two previous occasions (Andy Murray at the 2017 Australian Open and Rafael Nadal at the 2017 US Open), appeared to rush in his attempt to close out points quickly against one of the all-time great defenders. Djokovic soon made a breakthrough in the second set, and it was his athleticism and ability to chase down every ball, that put Rublev under extreme pressure at 1-1. The Serbian star broke serve again at 4-2 and didn’t look back as he completed his 40th match win at the Nitto ATP Finals with his 14th ace.
The World No. 1 is now 50-6 on the season, having gone 27-1 in major championship play with title runs at the Australian Open (d. Medvedev), Roland Garros (d. Tsitsipas) and Wimbledon (d. Berrettini). The 34-year-old, who came within one match of the Grand Slam with a US Open final run (l. to Medvedev), has also won titles at the Serbia Open in Belgrade (d. Molcan) in May and also at the Rolex Paris Masters (d. Medvedev) two weeks ago.
Novak Djokovic beat Andrey Rublev Highlights: Rublev, who won his first Green Group match on Monday against Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4, had also been attempting to earn his 50th match win of 2021 (now 49-21). He will play Ruud on Friday.
Djokovic to the semi-finals 🙌
🇷🇸 @DjokerNole has made the final four in Turin after defeating Rublev 6-3, 6-2! #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/BYnIzIAw42
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 17, 2021
ATP Finals 2021: Novak Djokovic cruises to semifinals with 6-3, 6-2 thrashing of Andrey Rublev
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