Novak Djokovic recovered from a wobbly begin to defeat debutant Casper Ruud in his opening round-robin match on the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
The world primary is bidding for a record-equalling sixth title on the season-ending match however has not lifted the trophy since 2015.
He arrived in Italy on the again of a thirty seventh Masters title in Paris and saved his successful run going with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 victory over Ruud, who’s the primary Norwegian to qualify for the match.
Djokovic Delivers 🥳@DjokerNole produces an efficient efficiency to defeat Ruud 7-6 6-2 in his first match at this 12 months’s #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/eImSVMVD64
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 15, 2021
Djokovic dropped serve within the opening sport after a degree when he stumbled and dropped his racket earlier than netting, however he settled into the match and broke again for 3-3.
Ruud, who has developed his sport this 12 months to be a risk on all surfaces, relatively than simply his favoured clay, did properly to save lots of two set factors at 4-5, however Djokovic got here out on high within the tie-break.
The second set was a masterclass from Djokovic, who utilized intense strain to his 22-year-old opponent’s serve, breaking within the opening sport earlier than getting an insurance coverage coverage in sport 5.
WOW 😯 @DjokerNole #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/nWvegfPQIy
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 15, 2021
“I recovered from that fall on that break level in that first sport,” the world No 1 stated. “It was very unusual. I performed a very good forehand and got here into the online and had a reasonably comfy overhead and I slipped, tripped, dropped my racket and misplaced my serve. The situations listed below are fairly powerful. In case you lose your serve, it’s tough to get it again. However I managed to remain in. I’m more than happy with the way in which I dealt with the match.”