Two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic produced an outstanding performance on Monday at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
The world no.1 needed just 56 minutes to beat eighth seed and US Open titlist Marin Cilic 6-1, 6-1 in his first Group A match at The O2 in London.
The only time Cilic looked comfortable was in the opening game, which he won to love. Novak took the next eight games for a 6-1, 2-0 lead. Djokovic dropped his serve, but immediately regained his composure to improve to a perfect 11-0 lifetime against the Croat.
It was Nole’s 58th win of the season, his 28th consecutive victory indoors and also the shortest match at ATP Finals ever.
Match statistics: aces (4-1), double faults (1-2), winners (13-6), unforced errors (12-22), total points won (54-29).
“It’s been a great, great match. I haven’t played here for 12 months, it’s great to be back,” said Novak. “It was a great performance. Marin as a US Open winner has a lot of confidence, but I managed to neutralise his serve and get a lot of ball back in play and that was part of the tactic.”
The 27-year-old Serbian star is just two wins away from securing the year-end no.1 spot.
In his second Group A Round Robin match on Wednesday, Novak will face no.3 seed Stanislas Wawrinka who ousted sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych 6-1, 6-1.
Djokovic has a 15-3 H2H record against the Swiss.
Photo: Getty Images
