World primary Novak Djokovic outclassed Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 6-2 on Saturday to achieve his ninth ATP Finals title conflict the place he’ll face native favorite Jannik Sinner.
In a rematch of this season’s Wimbledon last, the winner of an all-time file 24 males’s Grand Slam titles capitalised on the Spaniard’s inconsistency to proceed his quest for a seventh trophy this 12 months and turn into essentially the most profitable participant in 2023.
The 20-year-old Alcaraz, who additionally has gained six titles this season, missed out on turning into the youngest finalist within the season-ending event since Pete Sampras in 1991.
The world quantity two squandered double possibilities to interrupt within the Serb’s first service recreation earlier than Djokovic rebounded by profitable 4 straight factors to keep away from an early deficit.
Alcaraz piled on the strain early within the match and had extra winners, 11 to Djokovic’s 5, however unforced errors led him to drop his serve earlier than the highest seed secured the primary set.
The twice Grand Slam winner bounced again early within the second set however then dropped serve earlier than Djokovic took a 3-1 lead.
Alcaraz once more missed two possibilities to interrupt within the sixth recreation as U.S. Open champion Djokovic grabbed a 4-2 lead after which broke earlier than serving out for victory in a single hour 28 minutes.
Djokovic, aiming for a event file seventh title, now prepares for Sinner, who beat Daniil Medvedev, and might be out for revenge after shedding to the Italian within the group stage.
“I knew it was a high intensity match, we’ve played four times in the last 18 months,” stated Djokovic, who now has three wins in 5 conferences with Alcaraz.
“He is one of the most complete players I’ve faced. Dynamic, fast, capable of many things on the court. It was important to win in two sets,” the 36-year outdated added.
“I faced a break point at the beginning, then everything changed when I managed to break and I started to feel good. I did everything right from that moment on.” (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris)