TURIN: Novak Djokovic started his efforts to equalize the number of records of ATP Roger Federer’s final win with a set of straight-set 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 victory over Casper Ruud on Monday.
Djokovic number one world is looking to finish the extraordinary year with the sixth final title after just disappearing by claiming the four grand slam in one season, and starting with a strong start against Ruud Seed Eighth, winning in about 90 minutes.
He sat at the top of Green Green Green ahead of the clash of Stefanos Tsitipas with Andrey Rublev in Monday night session, and was looking to add to the season he completed in the top rank for the seventh time record.
Djokovic pulled wild beaters from the crowd of Turin when he insisted speaking Italian for an interview in court after the match, before he was respected once again a world top player.
“It’s a great feeling back here in Italy …
Thank you for all your support during these years, Italy is like a second home for me,” Djokovic said.
“This is one of the most difficult things to do in our sports, to complete number one at the end of the year you have to play very well, consistently and with lots of success throughout the year on each surface.
I am very proud.
I am very proud.” Norwegian Ruud, played his first match in the final against one of the biggest matches, played on credit and could easily take tin a set.
The 22-year-old child came out of shooting by solving Djokovic in the first match, but with the Serbian seven games in front of 4-3 and looked well placed to take the first set.
Djokovic arrived in Game 10 with a representative of one match intact and the match apparently slammed it but Ruud saved two break points to hold his service and took a set of tie-breaks.
Ruud made a 4-3 advantage in the tie tie but Djokovic raised pressure by winning four straight matches to claim the first set, and from there he ran clear.
Djokovic immediately went bankrupt at the beginning of the second set and from there he walked to victory, breaking once more on his way to claim the second set and match.