Djokovic neutralizes Rune's commendable rebellion and will close his eighth year as number 1
A great performance by Holger Rune in his debut in the masters tournament was not enough to neutralize Novak Djokovic, who won 7-6 (4), 6-7 (1) and 6-3, in three hours and four minutes, achieving his first victory in the Red Group and ensuring he concludes for the eighth non-consecutive year as world number 1. It was just the beginning of the tournament, but it could well have been a direct fight for the title. A generational confrontation with all the accessories of the parties that leave their mark. Rarely throughout the season has Nole been seen as demanding as on this Sunday night, already early on Monday when the curtain fell.
More physically whole, despite his 36 years compared to his rival's 20, who needed attention from the physiotherapist after the third game of the third set, Djokovic carried out one of those matches that will fuel his pride even more. He had to show off all his experience, the incombustible courage he possesses and the precision in the climactic moments to get rid of the Dane's commendable rebellion.
The match began with Rune's winning return on the first serve, but that first set ended in a similar way, this time with Djokovic's crossed forehand. Beginning and epilogue consistent with a magnificent match in which the intrepid candidate stood up to his opponent from start to finish, whom he had already defeated twice, although he had recently fallen in Paris-Bercy. It is not enough to play very well to beat Nole; You have to tune in at the right moments, mark distance in the spaces and times where he usually moves with singular skill.
More stable
There is, in any case, a change of attitude in Rune, who, in addition to being brave in his approaches, maintained an unusual stability. His association with Boris Becker, vigilant and active in his corner, leading his team since the Basel tournament, will have something to do with it.. The Dane gained a serve advantage in both sets, but saw it replicated immediately in both cases. He knocked out a very erratic Djokovic in the second tiebreaker, but could not keep up the pace in the outcome.
No one has won the ATP Finals seven times and Djokovic intends to do it. Nobody has finished eight years at the top. The Serbian has few barriers left to break, after winning his twenty-fourth Grand Slam title in New York and putting himself on par with Margaret Court, with Rafael Nadal already two majors away. In his sixteenth appearance in the tournament that brings together the eight best players of the season, he also presented himself as seven-time champion of Paris-Bercy, the tournament where he catapulted to 40 Masters 1000. This victory against Rune looks like another not inconsiderable credential against how much remains of the tournament.