In the Turin showpiece on Wednesday, Novak Djokovic crushed Russian Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-1 to secure his spot in the ATP Finals' final four.
After serving for the opening nine games, Djokovic turned on the gas to defeat Rublev.
When serving to remain in the first set, Rublev, who like Djokovic had won his initial match at the year-ender, gave up and dropped the set as Djokovic blasted a backhand return winner.
As five-time champion Djokovic swept to victory in just over an hour, the second set was a non-event.
Daniil Medvedev of Russia faces Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece later in the Red Group.
“I played one of my best matches of the year,” Djokovic, who was watched for the first time by both his children Stefan and Tara, said on the court.
“I found the right attitude and the right game and once I won the first set his energy went down.
“In the second set I just wanted to use that momentum and it was a flawless second set.”
Djokovic is already guaranteed a place in the weekend’s semi-finals when he will hope to equal Roger Federer’s title record at the ATP’s season-ender.
But the 35-year-old Serb said he would not be relaxing against Medvedev on Friday.
“It won’t just be a stroll in the park,” he said. “Knowing I’m in the semis is a great boost, but at the same time I want to focus on every match.”
If 21-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic wins the title this week he will be the oldest player ever to do so.
(Reuters/NAN)