Djokovic is one win away from a record-tying sixth ATP Finals Title

By John BerkokPublished November 17, 2018

HIGHLIGHTS: Novak Djokovic d. Kevin Anderson, 6-2, 6-2

2018 ATP Finals: N.Djokovic vs K.Anderson SF Match Highlights

Novak Djokovic continued to dominate the ATP Finals field on Saturday, beating Kevin Anderson in straight sets to reach the final of the season-ending championships for the seventh time in his career.

Djokovic had won the pair’s last seven meetings, six of them in straight sets - including this year’s Wimbledon final - and their semifinal encounter at the ATP Finals followed that pattern as the Serb needed just an hour and 15 minutes for a 6-2, 6-2 victory, his 35th win in his last 37 matches.

A laser-focused Djokovic was dialed in from the start, breaking in the very first game—his first of four breaks of the Anderson serve in the match. The Serb was unstoppable on his own serve, not facing a single break point in eight service games—he’s now held 36 of 36 service games for the tournament.

He finished the match on a forehand volley that clipped the net and dribbled over for a winner.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 17: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates in his semi finals singles match against Kevin Anderson of South Africa during Day Seven of the Nitto ATP Finals at The O2 Arena on November 17, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © 2018 Getty Images

“I think it was the best match that I’ve played so far this week, and it came at the right time,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “Kevin was playing some really good tennis this week. He came out and lost his first service game, which obviously makes a big difference—he relies a lot on his serve, and obviously his first serve percentage was quite low and wasn’t working as well as it usually does.

“I thought a crucial stat was to win as many points as possible on his second serve, and I tried to constantly put pressure on his service games and use my serve accurately, and it worked really well.”

Djokovic, who actually out-aced Anderson in the match, six to four, was also asked whether this is some of the best serving he’s ever done. “It’s definitely not normal to serve more aces in a match than Kevin, especially in my case, so obviously that stat helps my confidence on the serve,” he said.

Awaiting the No. 1-seeded Djokovic in the final on Sunday will be No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev, who defeated No.2 seed Roger Federer in a tight two-setter in the first semifinal of the day, 7-5, 7-6 (5).

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns against South Africa's Kevin Anderson during their men's singles semi-final match on day seven of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London on November 17, 2018. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) — © AFP/Getty Images

The two met in the round robin stage on Wednesday, with Djokovic prevailing, 6-4, 6-1.

The Serb leads their overall head-to-head, 2-1.

“I played really well in the group stage against him, but I don’t think he was close to his best, to be honest,” Djokovic said of Zverev. “He’s been playing really well in his last couple of matches and today against Roger he played a great match. He’s been serving well too. I think I’ll have a similar approach to today’s match—get as many first serves back in play, and fight until the last point.

“It’s going to be the last match of the year for both of us. Let the better player win.”

Djokovic is a win away from a record-tying sixth ATP Finals crown, his first five titles coming in 2008 and four years in a row from 2012 to 2015. He was also a runner-up in 2016 (to Andy Murray).

Federer holds the current record of six ATP Finals titles (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011).

This Week on Tennis Channel:

ATP Finals (Sun - Sun 11.11 - 11.18) - Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and the world's best collide in the season Finale. Live coverage begins on Tennis Channel Sunday at 7:00am EST.