The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsNovak Djokovic has opened his bid for the ATP World Tour Finals title in style, as the world number one crushed Kei Nishikori 6-1 6-1. The Serbian was in ominous form as he dominated the contest throughout, displaying a precise and clean performance to sweep past the Japanese player comfortably.
In the first set, both players settled into the baseline rallies, but Nishikori found it difficult to penetrate the impeccable defence of the world number one. The combination of precision tennis and excellent defending at times eventually extracted the early break for Djokovic, and he consolidated it to establish a 3-0 lead. Even though the Japanese player managed to hold his serve from break point down in his next service game, the Serbian continued his relentless assault and soon enough, the double break was established when Nishikori netted a drop shot. Djokovic was in dominant form, and an unreturnable serve was enough to seal a comfortable set of tennis for the world number one.
As the second set got underway, Nishikori’s serve was under siege once again and the Serbian took full advantage, using his deep groundstrokes to break his opponent in the opening game. Even though the Japanese player was successfully aggressive at times, the extended rallies were very much favouring Djokovic, who seized the double break when Nishikori netted a forehand. The defending champion was ruthless in showing no mercy towards his opponent, and he broke Nishikori yet again with a precise volley to clinch a resounding win.
