(November 21, 2015) LONDON, UK – In a repeat of a round robin match earlier in the competiton, Novak Djokovic will take on Roger Federer in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday.
Novak Djokovic def. Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-3
If there were any lingering doubts about whether Djokovic was ready to mount his offensive for a fourth straight title, at the ATP World Tour Finals, they only had to look at his start in the semi-final.
Swiftly establishing a 3-0 lead, he was the one calling all the shots. Nadal seemed to struggle to even stay with the Serbian, much less even get a look at his serve.
It took just a single break in the first set for Djokovic to keep his advantage, and at the start of the second set he looked like he was going for a mirror image of the first.
While Nadal managed to at least hold that attempt off, he would surrender a break shortly afterwards and in a final indignity, Djokovic broke him to seal the match.
Djokovic said, in his on-court interview: “It was a great performance, no doubt. From the very beginning I pushed to execute my game plan, trying to be aggressive, dictate the play.
“It’s easier said than done when playing as great of a defender as Rafa. He was playing some great tennis earlier this week. I managed to pull out my best game when it was needed the most. Just glad to get through to final.”
For Nadal – it was his best close post-US Open after a disastrous start to the year by his standards, and so he looks forward to 2016 in the hope that he has regained his confidence.
Roger Federer def. Stan Wawrinka 7-5, 6-3
This had the promise of being a hard fought three-setter, and indeed when Wawrinka broke Federer in the middle of the first set, it looked as though this would most certainly go the distance.
A sloppy game at the end of the set though handed it to Federer, and that momentum stayed with him as he quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead.
Wawrinka was at least able to stop the rot and prevented Federer from breaking him to grab the set, but all to rapidly, Federer served out to love for a most straight forward win.
“He [Djokovic] should be knocked out by now,” Federer joked in his on-court interview. “I’m joking. It’s a great format, the round robin. He’s had a tremendous year, another great semifinal against Rafa [Nadal]. I know it will be difficult tomorrow. I’ll give it all I have, it’s the last match of the season.”
He now sets up the final fans were denied last year, and will face three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic.