Djokovic, Nadal start with easy wins in ATP Finals

London, November 16

Novak Djokovic overcame an early break to beat Diego Schwartzman 6-3 6-2 today at the season-ending ATP Finals in an empty O2 Arena. The top-ranked Djokovic has won the tournament five times — one short of Roger Federer’s record.

Schwartzman broke Djokovic for a 2-1 lead in the first set, but the 28-year-old Argentine immediately gave it back as he struggled with his first serve. At 3-3, Djokovic won five straight games to close out first set and build 2-0 lead in second.

Djokovic hasn’t lost an opening ATP Finals match since 2007. The 33-year-old Serb has never lost to Schwartzman in six matches. The Argentine is without a title this year and making his debut at the ATP Finals.

Thiem wins

Dominic Thiem made sure this year’s ATP Finals didn’t begin the same way last year’s ended. Thiem outlasted Stefanos Tsitsipas in a rematch of the 2019 final, beating the defending champion 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 yesterday in the opening singles match of the tournament.

In the late match yesterday, Rafael Nadal had a much easier time against newcomer Andrey Rublev, beating the Russian 6-3 6-4 in just 1 hour, 17 minutes.

Nadal is looking to cap a season in which he earned his record-equaling 20th Grand Slam title and 1,000th match win on tour by capturing his first trophy at the ATP Finals. He has qualified for the season-ending event for a record 16 straight years but lost in the final twice and missed six editions because of injuries.

“It’s important to start well, of course, for the confidence, because winning in straight sets helps,” Nadal said. “I played solid with my serve. I didn’t suffer much, and that helps to play more relaxed on the returns.” — AP