(Turin) Favorite Novak Djokovic extended his winning streak to six with a two-set win – 7-6 (4), 6-2 – at the expense of Casper Ruud in his ATP Finals debut.
After a two-month hiatus following his loss to Daniil Medvedev in the U.S. Open final – which ended his attempt to score a Grand Slam in the same calendar year – Djokovic has returned to competition earlier this month and won the Paris Masters.
He now aims to equal Roger Federer’s record with six titles at this end-of-season tournament which brings together the best eight players.
This victory allows the Serbian to temporarily settle at the head of the Green group. 2018 champion Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on Andrey Rublev later on Monday.
Medvedev and Alexander Zverev won their match in the Red Group on Sunday at the tournament which debuts in Turin after being presented 12 years in London.
Ruud, who is making his first appearance, managed the break in the game’s initial play when Djokovic fell and dropped his racket during a change of direction on a lob. Djokovic managed to retrieve his racquet and returned the ball weakly, but Ruud quickly made the point.
A double fault from Ruud gave Djokovic a break, drawing the tie 3-3 in the first set. Djokovic then started to put pressure on Ruud’s serve, which allowed him to have the best in the tie-breaker.
Helped by the speed of the indoor court at Pala Alpitour, Djokovic won 20 of 21 points with his first serve in the first set, and 35 of 39 for the game overall.
Djokovic totaled 10 aces and Ruud nine.