Djokovic survives second-set scare to eliminate Nishikori
Serb drops first set since October but enters World Tour Finals decider
LONDON:
Novak Djokovic survived his first serious test of the ATP Tour Finals as the world number one advanced to the final with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori on Saturday.
Djokovic had swept through the group stage at London's O2 Arena in imperious fashion, but he was pushed harder by Nishikori, who became the first player to take a set off him since October, before a strong finish secured the Serb's fourth appearance in the final of the prestigious season-ending event.
The 27-year-old has now won 31 successive indoor matches, including 14 at the Tour Finals.
Djokovic, who has already lifted the Tour Finals trophy thrice, remains on course to become the first man to win the event three years in a row since Ivan Lendl in the 1980s.
"Nishikori was playing great and this has been the best season of his life, but he made some crucial double faults in the third set," said Djokovic.
On Friday, Djokovic had ensured he will finish top of the year-end world rankings for the third time in four years; a fitting reward for another dominant year that saw the Serb win Wimbledon, reach the French Open final and claim five other ATP titles.
Nishikori had also enjoyed an impressive campaign and became the first Asian player to qualify for the Tour Finals after reaching the US Open final in September, beating Djokovic in the semi-finals.
The 24-year-old can leave London with his head held high after a solid week's work, but he will be frustrated to have let Djokovic off the hook when he seemed to have turned the tide in his favour in the second set.
Novak Djokovic survived his first serious test of the ATP Tour Finals as the world number one advanced to the final with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori on Saturday.
Djokovic had swept through the group stage at London's O2 Arena in imperious fashion, but he was pushed harder by Nishikori, who became the first player to take a set off him since October, before a strong finish secured the Serb's fourth appearance in the final of the prestigious season-ending event.
The 27-year-old has now won 31 successive indoor matches, including 14 at the Tour Finals.
Djokovic, who has already lifted the Tour Finals trophy thrice, remains on course to become the first man to win the event three years in a row since Ivan Lendl in the 1980s.
"Nishikori was playing great and this has been the best season of his life, but he made some crucial double faults in the third set," said Djokovic.
On Friday, Djokovic had ensured he will finish top of the year-end world rankings for the third time in four years; a fitting reward for another dominant year that saw the Serb win Wimbledon, reach the French Open final and claim five other ATP titles.
Nishikori had also enjoyed an impressive campaign and became the first Asian player to qualify for the Tour Finals after reaching the US Open final in September, beating Djokovic in the semi-finals.
The 24-year-old can leave London with his head held high after a solid week's work, but he will be frustrated to have let Djokovic off the hook when he seemed to have turned the tide in his favour in the second set.