World number two Novak Djokovic posted his third consecutive victory against world number seven Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday. It was similar to their semifinal clash at the recently concluded Paris Masters because it also went to a three set thriller.
The two-time season-final event winner won 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 against the six-time champion of this elite eight-man singles event.
“It was probably the toughest start I could get for this tournament,” said Djokovic. “It was always going to be a tough match for both of us.
Novak Djokovic will advance to the semifinals on Thursday if he defeats Juan Martin Del Potro in straight sets. However, he can still book a spot in the final four if he defeats del Potro in three sets and Roger Federer defeats Richard Gasquet.
The 26-year old tennis superstar from Serbia has posted a 68-9 win-loss record this season and has kept his chances alive of ending the season as world number one for the third straight year. However, his rival Rafael Nadal is assured to clinch the year-end number one ranking if the Spaniard wins his upcoming match against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland.
“Of course, Roger was fighting throughout,” said Djokovic. “The second set was very close. I was not satisfied with my serve. I basically played with no serve. No first serves the whole second set. But when I needed to in the third, I served well. I’m just happy that I overcome this challenge.
“It was intense. It was emotional, up and down. But I lost my calmness. I have to say, in the middle of the second set. At 2-2, I had 40 love. I lost that game for no reason. He started playing better. He started making less mistakes.”
Roger Federer admitted that he struggled in the match especially during the concluding set.
“I think Novak also struggled for a long period of time tonight,” said Federer. “So did I. I’m not even sure if we played our best in the third [set]. It’s just one of those matches you try to take advantage when the other guy’s not 100 per cent.”
“I thought I had a chance today. So that’s the part where I’m unhappy. I wasn’t able to take advantage of it. Because I was actually feeling much better than I was in Paris overall, physically.
“I think at this point it’s very mental, just making sure I don’t get too negative on myself because of the loss today. I mean, it was against Novak after all. It’s not against some journeyman.”
