World No.1 Novak Djokovic has wowed the world by outclassing Carlos Alcaraz to reach his ninth ATP Finals title clash where he will face Italian favourite Jannik Sinner.
In a rematch of this season’s Wimbledon final, the winner of an all-time record 24 men’s Grand Slam titles capitalised on the Spaniard’s inconsistency to post a stunning 6-3 6-2 victory in Turin on Saturday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Djokovic downs Alcaraz to advance to ATP Finals title clash.
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It continues his quest for a seventh trophy this year to become the most successful player in 2023.
The 20-year-old Alcaraz, who also has won six titles this season, missed out on becoming the youngest finalist in the season-ending tournament since Pete Sampras in 1991.
But Djokovic’s form was wildly impressive.
So much so that tennis commentator David Law wondered if the veteran was improving.
“It is no exaggeration to say that Novak Djokovic, aged 36, with 24 major titles already under his belt, is getting better at playing tennis,” Law wrote on social media.
The Tennis Podcast agreed.
“As a contest, not a classic, but that’s because, from 3-3 first set Djokovic was mind-bendingly brilliant. If it’s possible, he was even better than his usual best. Supreme,” they wrote.
Fans were also in awe.
“Pure GOATing from Djokovic today,” one admirer said on social media.
Another said: “Alcarez had a first serve percentage of 86 per cent at some point and he was broken three times… Do you realise the kind of sorcery that he was up against? The Grand Master Novak Djokovic simply waved his magic wand (racket) Undeniable all time GREATNESS OF ALL SPORTS. ALIEN.”
The world No.2 squandered double chances to break in the Serb’s first service game before Djokovic rebounded by winning four straight points to avoid an early deficit.
Alcaraz piled on the pressure early in the match and had more winners – 11 to Djokovic’s five – but unforced errors led him to drop his serve before the top seed secured the first set.
The twice Grand Slam winner bounced back early in the second set but then dropped serve before 36-year-old Djokovic took a 3-1 lead.
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Alcaraz again missed two chances to break in the sixth game as US Open champion Djokovic grabbed a 4-2 lead and then broke before serving out for victory in one hour 28 minutes.
Djokovic, aiming for a tournament record seventh title, now prepares for Sinner, who beat Daniil Medvedev, and will be out for revenge after losing to the Italian in the group stage.
“I knew it was a high intensity match, we’ve played four times in the last 18 months,” said Djokovic, who now has three wins in five meetings with Alcaraz.
“He is one of the most complete players I’ve faced – dynamic, fast, capable of many things on the court – so it was important to win in two sets.
“I faced a break point at the beginning, then everything changed when I managed to break and I started to feel good. I did everything right from that moment on.”
Sinner is the the first Italian player to reach Sunday’s title match in the season-ending tournament.
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In front of a raucous Pala Alpitour crowd the 22-year-old soaked up everything Medvedev could throw at him on Saturday and emerged with a 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 victory.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Sinner said.
“It was a really tough match today. I felt that he was playing more aggressively, especially in the first set. Somehow, I made the break and from that point I felt better.”
Each round-robin win was worth $A600,000 and the final $A3.4 million while a title win for Sinner could yield $A7.4 million as undefeated champion.
– With Cameron Noakes
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