Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz of their singles semifinal tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals on the Pala Alpitour, in Turin, Italy.
| Photo Credit: AP
World primary Novak Djokovic outclassed Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 6-2 on Saturday to attain his ninth ATP Finals title clash the place he’ll face native favorite Jannik Sinner.
In a rematch of this season’s Wimbledon ultimate, the winner of an all-time report 24 males’s Grand Slam titles capitalised on the Spaniard’s inconsistency to proceed his quest for a seventh trophy this yr and turn into essentially the most profitable participant in 2023.
The 20-year-old Alcaraz, who additionally has gained six titles this season, missed out on changing into the youngest finalist within the season-ending match since Pete Sampras in 1991.
The world quantity two squandered double possibilities to break within the Serb’s first service sport earlier than Djokovic rebounded by successful 4 straight factors to keep away from an early deficit.
Alcaraz piled on the strain early within the match and had extra winners, 11 to Djokovic’s 5, however unforced errors led him to drop his serve earlier than the highest seed secured the primary set.
The twice Grand Slam winner bounced again early within the second set however then dropped serve earlier than Djokovic took a 3-1 lead.
Alcaraz once more missed two possibilities to break within the sixth sport as U.S. Open champion Djokovic grabbed a 4-2 lead after which broke earlier than serving out for victory in a single hour 28 minutes.
Djokovic, aiming for a match report seventh title, now prepares for Sinner, who beat Daniil Medvedev, and can be out for revenge after shedding to the Italian within the group stage.
“I knew it was a high intensity match, we’ve played four times in the last 18 months,” mentioned Djokovic, who now has three wins in 5 conferences with Alcaraz.
“He is one of the most complete players I’ve faced. Dynamic, fast, capable of many things on the court. It was important to win in two sets,” the 36-year previous added.
“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.” (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris)
