Novak Djokovic sent out a warning to his rivals on Monday, brushing aside big-serving John Isner 6-4, 6-3 to launch his bid for a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title in style.
The World No. 1 appeared little troubled by the howitzers coming off the giant Isner’s racquet — breaking his opponent three times and not conceding a single break point on his own serve.
All coming good
“The match was great, obviously,” said the 31-year-old. “I had three breaks of serve of John which is sometimes mission impossible but I managed to be at the right place at the right time.
With Cristiano Ronaldo watching and on one occasion catching a stray ball that bounced into the stands near the first row, the top seed broke Isner in the fifth game of the first set to establish a stranglehold and never looked like allowing the American eighth seed back into the contest, breaking twice more in the second set to win in 73 minutes.
Pleased to see Ronaldo in the stands, Djokovic, who was wearing black and white, jokingly said, “I had colours of his club on my attire tonight. I’m sure he was happy to see that.”
Anderson runs riot
Meanwhile on Tuesday, South African Kevin Anderson handed Japan’s Kei Nishikori a humiliating 6-0, 6-1 thrashing to move to the brink of a semifinal berth.
The results:
Group Gustavo Kuerten: Novak Djokovic bt John Isner 6-4, 6-3.
Group Lleyton Hewitt: Kevin Anderson bt Kei Nishikori 6-0, 6-1.