(Turin) Novak Djokovic took the measure of fifth seed Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-2 on the surface of the Pala Alpitour in Turin to win the Green group and secure a place in the ace of ATP Finals, Wednesday.
At the same time, Djokovic recorded his 50e victory this season, and he can still hope to secure his sixth career title at this prestigious end-of-season tournament.
The Serbian, who is now 40-16 in his career in the ATP Finals, will continue the group stage with Britain’s Cameron Norrie on Friday, who replaced Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas (right elbow) in the field.
Djokovic, who has won 12 of his last 14 games, has shown formidable efficiency and never allowed Rublev to find his rhythm on serve – he won 34 of the 48 points played under the circumstances.
Since Russia’s Daniil Medvedev made sure to finish first in the Red group on Tuesday, the ATP Finals championship match could pit the top two tennis players against each other in the world rankings.
The “Djoker” is 50-6 so far this season, and 27-1 in Grand Slam tournaments after winning the Australian Open, France Open and Wimbledon. The 34-year-old veteran, who came close to one game of completing the Grand Slam in one season – he lost to Medvedev in the final at Flushing Meadows – also triumphed in the Open in Serbia in May and at the Paris Masters two weeks ago.
Rublev, who scored his first victory in the Green group on Monday after defeating Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4, also coveted his 50e victory in 2021 (49-21). He will meet with Norwegian Casper Ruud on Friday.
Moreover, Ruud must cross swords with Norrie at the end of the day on Wednesday.