Djokovic cruises to win over Rublev to seal top spot in Green Group at ATP Finals

The Serb is into the semi-finals for the 10th time and will face the runner-up in the Red Group

AI / Reuters / Panoramic

November 17, 2021

2021 ATP Finals, Turin | Draw | Schedule

What happened: Novak Djokovic beat Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-2 in his second Green Group match.
Why it matters: Djokovic qualifies for the semi-finals in top spot, will play the runner-up in Red Group.
You will also learn: Rublev can still qualify for the semi-finals, depending on other results and his last group match.

The world No 1 continues to roll on at the ATP Finals, Novak Djokovic’s 6-3, 6-2 victory over Andrey Rublev on Wednesday ensuring that he will qualify for the semi-finals in top spot in the Green Group.

“I served very well, that helped tremendously,” Djokovic said. “Winning the first set put additional pressure on him, and I was more consistent from the baseline.”

✅ 10th semi-final at the #NittoATPFinals

The numbers keep getting better for @DjokerNole 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ZB91Op2uqi
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 17, 2021

The five-times champion served superbly and was untroubled by the power of Rublev, who had been impressive in victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas in his opening group match on Monday. It’s the 10th time Djokovic has reached the semi-finals or better of the season-ending event and he now stands alone in second place in terms of all-time ATP Finals wins, with 40.

Djokovic is assured of top spot in the group, which means he’ll face the runner-up in the Red Group, regardless of the outcome of his final group match.

Djokovic and Rublev had never met on the ATP Tour before but the Russian was given a quick reminder of how dominant the world No 1 has been in 2021, even though it was Rublev who broke first.

The Djokovic defence is INSANE. @DjokerNole #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/jS1H9G7gtF
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 17, 2021

The break back was immediate and it took the 34-year-old just 68 minutes to clinch victory, his serve proving especially effective, with Rublev claiming just four points on the Djokovic first serve. The Russian struggled on his second serve, too, winning just seven of 24 points on it as he was outgunned in all departments.

Earlier, Tsitsipas announced his withdrawal from the event due to his niggling right elbow injury. Britain’s Cameron Norrie, the second alternate, will take on Casper Ruud later Wednesday.