The second day of the Nitto ATP Finals 2020 turned out to be a routine affair in which Novak Djokovic started his record sixth title bid in an imperious manner.
Djokovic blew away the world number 9 Diego Schwartzman’s title challenge in a thumping 6-3,6-2 win. On the other hand, world number 4 Daniil Medvedev registered a comprehensive straight-sets 6-3,6-4 win over his fellow NextGen player Alexander Zverev.
The two winners would face off against each other on the 19th of November in a fixture which may well decide the winner of the Tokyo 1970 group.
Djokovic eyes Federer’s record-
Novak Djokovic has been on a record-breaking spree in 2020 and just days earlier he had equalled Pete Sampras’ record of ending the year as world number 1 for the sixth time.
And now the swashbuckling Serbian would be looking to equal Federer’s record of six ATP Finals titles.
Novak Djokovic felt his early blemish when dropping serve in the first set was countered by the way he hit the ball in the second.
Brutal & brilliant.
🇷🇸 @DjokerNole sends a message to the #NittoATPFinals field 😳 pic.twitter.com/7MN3p9X9XP
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 16, 2020
Djokovic was broken early on in the encounter by Schwartzman, before battling straight back with a break of his own.
Also read: ATP Finals are here-Nadal eyes a redemption, Djokovic a record
And as always, it was all Novak in the second set, in which he broke Schwartzman twice and the match ended 6-3,6-2 in Djokovic’s favour.
This is his 13th appearance in these finals in London and the lack of crowds was noticed by the 33-year-old.
Most wins at #NittoATPFinals:
Roger Federer: 59
Ivan Lendl: 39@DjokerNole: 37pic.twitter.com/Yfd4LEnTDR— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 16, 2020
He said: “I’ve been playing the ATP Finals in this arena for many years and have been blessed with some incredible matches and atmospheres.
“I must say it feels very strange to play in front of empty stands but for everyone, for all the tennis fans out there, we love you guys and miss you guys.”
Is this the first underarm serve that @TheO2 has seen? 🤔
🇷🇺 @DaniilMedwed delivers the Moment of the Day!@emirates | #FlyEmiratesFlyBetter pic.twitter.com/GcRrACdNL7
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 16, 2020
Medvedev’s underarm serve highlights a routine game-
Medvedev who had lost all his group matches the previous year, notched up his first-ever win at the ATP Finals courtesy of his exquisite serve and some street smarts.
The highlight reel of the match however came in the second set.
Medvedev led 4-3, 30-30 when he surprised Zverev with a quick underarm serve. It brought the German to the net and he lost the point when his backhand block volley flew long.
✅ First #NittoATPFinals win
Will 🇷🇺 @DaniilMedwed keep it rolling in London?#ATPTour pic.twitter.com/ywJdkb13cp
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 16, 2020
“My wide serve was not working as well as I would like and he was returning good,” Medvedev said. “I see that he was five meters behind the baseline and I have the ball close to my racket, so I thought, ‘Go for it.’
“It actually worked. It’s also smart.”Medvedev added on his underarm serve move.
Medvedev will next take on Novak Djokovic while Zverev will have to battle Diego Schwartzman in what would be a potential eliminator
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Also read:
Nadal and Thiem off to a winning start in the ATP Finals 2020
