Turin, November 15

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic began his quest for a sixth title at the season-ending ATP Finals with a 7-6(4) 6-2 victory over Norway’s Casper Ruud in their round-robin encounter here today.

Djokovic suffered a fall and lost his opening service game but recovered to find his rhythm against Ruud, who is making his debut at the event following five tournament wins this season.

“It was strange. I played a good forehand and came into the net and had a comfortable overhead. I slipped, tripped, dropped my racquet and lost my serve,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic was later presented with the year-end world No. 1 trophy for a record seventh time, bettering the mark set by 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras.

“I was four or five when I saw Sampras play at Wimbledon for the first time. I asked for a racquet and fell in love with tennis. To know that I hold this record now, after Pete, it’s incredible,” said the 34-year-old.

On Sunday, Alexander Zverev won when local favourite Matteo Berrettini retired early in the second set with an apparent abdominal injury.

Muguruza beats Kontaveit

Guadalajara: Garbine Muguruza ended Anett Kontaveit’s 12-match winning streak with a 6-4 6-4 victory that propelled her into the semifinals at the WTA Finals.

Muguruza, who will be playing in her first semifinals of this tournament since 2015, needed the win to advance to the semifinals at the expense of Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova. Pliskova rallied from a set and a break down to beat Barbora Krejcikova 0-6 6-4 6-4. — Agencies