Djokovic Continues Tsitsipas Domination At ATP Finals, Rublev d Medvedev; Nadal v FAA Tues

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Novak Djokovic improved to 14-1 in ATP Finals opening round robin matches with yet another win over Stefanos Tsitsipas. Djokovic ran his mark against the Greek to 10-2 having won his last nine following a 6-4, 7-6(4) win Monday night in Turin.

Djokovic was dominant on his forehand and serve and his game just torments Tsitsipas.

“We have played some really close matches in the past few tournaments against each other,” Djokovic said after the win. “It was very important to start off well. I held my serve really well throughout the match. I played a great tie-break, very solid all the way through.”

The 5-time ATP Finals has now won 14 of his last 15 matches overall, falling in three sets in the Paris Masters final to Holger Rune.

Djokovic will next face Andrey Rublev on Wednesday.

In an all-Russian battle, Rublev got over on Daniil Medvedev in a thriller 6-7(7), 6-3, 7-6(7).

As often is the case with Rublev, he couldn’t find the closing cartridge. Rublev blew seven set points in the first set and then in the breaker lost four match points, finally winning on his fifth.

The breaker featured many long points which Rublev ended up the better for thanks to his powerful forehand. It was one of Rublev’s best wins beating the former ATP Finals champion.

“The final tiebreak, the rallies that we had there were crazy. The last rally, we had I don’t know, 30 shots. I was cramping a bit already, but I was thinking ‘One more, one more’. You have to keep playing. For sure he felt the same, so just keep playing if you have the chance, just go for it’. In the end I was able to win,” Rublev stated.

Medvedev knew today was not his day. This year has also been not his year.

“There are some matches where you feel you’re untouchable, and everything you do, let’s put it this way — turns into gold,” Medvedev said. “Today was not one of them.

“I didn’t feel amazing during the match. I would enjoy it if I would feel better in terms of tennis. But, again, looking back, some great points. This can make you play better and turn things into gold in the next matches.”

Medvedev will now take on Tsitsipas on Tuesday.

Tomorrow, Rafael Nadal returns hoping for his first ATP Finals title and a shot at No. 1 but he’ll meet Felix Auger Aliassime in a virtual elimination match.

Sunday winners Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz also collide.