World Tour Finals: Djokovic clinches year-end top spot

Serb thrashes Berdych 6-2, 6-2 in Finals to secure top honours

LONDON: Novak Djokovic was at his imperious best as he sealed the year-end world number one spot and advanced to the semi-finals of the ATP Tour Finals with a 6-2, 6-2 thrashing of Tomas Berdych on Friday.

Djokovic finishes on top of the rankings for the third time in four seasons and is only the seventh player to hold first place at the end of the calendar year on at least three occasions.

The Serb's third successive victory at the prestigious season-ending event at London's O2 Arena ensured he won Group A and will face Japan's Kei Nishikori in Saturday's semi-finals.

"It's been a long year, a long season, it's an incredible achievement and I want to thank my team and my family and all the people who supported me," said Djokovic.

"I'm aware that being number one in the world is the biggest challenge a tennis player can have. It's an incredible feeling and I'm very happy.

"This was definitely one of the best performances. I hoped I could continue the way I played in the first two matches."

The number one ranking is a fitting reward for the Serb's remarkable consistency during a year in which he won Wimbledon, reached the French Open final and claimed five other titles.

With top spot wrapped up, Djokovic can focus on becoming the first player to win the Tour Finals three years in a row since Ivan Lendl in the 1980s.

Few would bet against him after he lost a combined nine games during his three majestic group victories.

Federer happy Murray avoided 'double bagel'

Roger Federer was two points away from beating one of his fiercest rivals without dropping a solitary game but said he was happy not to beat Andy Murray 6-0, 6-0 late Thursday.

The Swiss great was leading 6-0, 5-0 and 30-0 on the hapless Murray's serve when he missed a routine volley and the Briton dug deep to register on the giant scoreboard at the O2 Arena.

Federer completed the demolition in the following game for a 6-0, 6-1 victory.

The 17-time grand slam champion said it was an almost perfect performance, but he was not too upset at losing the penultimate game. "I wouldn't want to be in that position," he said. "I was happy to get it done. At the end I was happy I didn't win the second to last game to be quite honest. It's uncomfortable. I don't know. I don't like it."

 

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