World No. 1 Novak Djokovic needed just 69 minutes to defeat Andrey Rublev on Wednesday and cruise into the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.
Djokovic defeated the Russian Rublev 6-3, 6-2 to win the Green Group. Djokovic won 88 percent of his first serves in the deciding set.
“I knew that I had to be on my toes and start well,” said Djokovic. “It was quite a nervous start from both of us until 4-3, then with new balls I somehow managed to find the right shots at the right time. I made him play, crucially on the break point at 4-3, when I managed to strike a good passing shot.
“Winning the first set I put additional pressure on him, and I started to maybe play more consistently from the back of the court. I served well [and] that helped tremendously. I wanted to put him out of his comfort zone, taking away the time and mix up the pace. It was a great performance overall.”
Djokovic, through to his 10th semifinal match at the ATP Finals, will play alternate Cameron Norrie on Friday, albeit a meaningless match. Norrie cannot advance after Wednesday’s loss.
“I always like playing new players, particularly in one of the greatest tournaments in the world here in Turin,” Djokovic said. “Cameron deserves to be here, it’s not lucky. He worked his way to Turin with great wins in Indian Wells and some other tournaments, so it will be fun to watch him tonight against Ruud and I’ll get ready for my next match.”
Norway’s Casper Ruud rallied to dispatch Norrie 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Norrie replaced Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was forced to withdraw Wednesday with an elbow injury.
Ruud posted 10 aces and 32 winners against Norrie, winning in one hour, 51 minutes. He will play a win-and-in match against Rublev on Friday.
On Thursday, first alternate Jannik Sinner faces Daniil Medvedev with a spot in the semis on the line. Medvedev, winner of the Red Group, has already qualified for the semis. Sinner replaced countryman Matteo Berrettini, who injured his oblique and had to withdraw. Alexander Zverev plays Hubert Hurkacz of Poland in Thursday’s other match.
–Field Level Media
