Brilliant Novak defeats Sinner to win a record seventh ATP Finals title!
19/11/2023 20:23
Simply the best!
Top seed Novak Djokovic delivered a masterclass to defeat home favourite Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-3 in the Nitto ATP Finals title match on Sunday.
With the triumph, the 36-year-old Serbian star won a record seventh crown at the prestigious year-ending event, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for most titles.
Novak was at his very best against the Italian. He won 91% of points on his first serve.
Extraordinary serving and flawless play brought him his 98th tour-level title, seventh in 2023.
Djokovic broke three times from eight opportunities and saved both break points he faced during the one-hour, 43-minute clash against the fourth seed.
"Very, very special. It's one of the best seasons I've had in my life, no doubt,” Novak said. “To crown it with a win against a hometown hero, Jannik, who has played amazing tennis this week, is phenomenal. I'm very proud of the performances these past two days against Alcaraz and Sinner, probably the best two players in the world next to me and Medvedev at the moment – and the way they have been playing, I had to step it up. I had to win the matches and not wait for them to hand me the victory and that's what I've done. I think I played different tactically than I did in the group stage against Jannik, and just overall it was a phenomenal week."
Match statistics: aces (13-8), double faults (0-1), winners (16-17), unforced errors (10-30), total points won (72-48).
The extraordinary season is not finished for Nole. He will lead the national team of Serbia at the 2023 Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga, Spain (November 21-26).
Serbia will face Great Britain in the knockout stage. The winner will progress on to a semifinal with Italy or Netherlands.
Djokovic will begin his 400th week as world no.1 on Monday, November 20.
Photo: AP