Novak Djokovic moved clear of Roger Federer outright by winning a record seventh title at the ATP Finals on Sunday, crushing Jannik Sinner in straights sets in front of the Italian’s home crowd in Turin.
Sinner beat Djokovic for the first time in his career in the group stage on Tuesday, but he never looked likely to repeat that success in Sunday’s final as the reigning champion dominated from the off to claim a 6-3 6-3 win.
Djokovic rattled off two straightforward holds of serve before making the breakthrough in the fourth game, with Sinner left to rue his failure to challenge a shot being incorrectly called long to give Djokovic break point, the 36-year-old taking full advantage.
The Serbian continued to dictate proceedings, looking untouchable on his own serve and provoking a mixed response from the crowd when he celebrated one Sinner error with a huge roar. Sinner pulled wide on set point to hand Djokovic the opener, and there was no let-up in the second set.
Djokovic broke to love in the very first game of the second set, besting Sinner over several long rallies in what represented an ominous sign for the Italian. Indeed, the 24-time grand slam winner took the first 10 points of the second set before Sinner narrowly fended off a potential double break.
Sinner finally challenged on the Djokovic serve in the sixth game of the set, bringing up two break points only to see the world number one fight back to hold with a terrific backhand down the line.
Sinner then held at the end of a remarkable 15-minute game, which featured one staggering miss from Djokovic at the net, but the 36-year-old recovered with another tense hold before wrapping up the win with another break, Sinner’s outing being summed up by a double fault on championship point.
Djokovic’s victory caps one of the best years of his career, with the Serbian also reaching the finals of all four grand slams and only losing one, finishing on the wrong end of July’s epic contest against Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆@DJOKERNOLE masters Sinner 6-3, 6-3 to capture a record SEVENTH #NITTOATPFINALS title! PIC.TWITTER.COM/329PWNGTWT
— ATP Tour (@atptour) NOVEMBER 19, 2023
