Novak Djokovic initiated Sunday’s final with an impeccable performance, aiming to clinch his seventh Nitto ATP Finals title. The Serbian displayed precision on his serves, dominating the opening set in Turin with a 6-3 victory, conceding merely two points in five service games to establish a commanding lead.
Novak Djokovic was beaten by home favourite Sinner in the group stage but now seeks to turn that result around in the final — a feat he accomplished against Roger Federer at the 2015 season finale. Eight years later, the 36-year-old Serbian is seeking to break a tie with the Swiss on six Nitto ATP Finals titles.
In the opening set, Djokovic won 20 of 22 service points and landed 73 per cent of his first serves. He needed just 38 minutes to claim a quick-strike set.
Two loose errors from Sinner handed Djokovic the lone break of the set in its fourth game — though replays showed the miss that brought up break point clipped the baseline. Sinner did not challenge. The Serbian made just two unforced errors in the opener, with none off his forehand wing.
Sinner has worked hard to give the Italian crowd something to cheer about, but Djokovic has had the answers at every turn in a ruthless start to the match. Lengthy rallies have been few and far between, with Djokovic playing so much of the set on the front foot behind his pinpoint serving.
