But Djokovic pulled out a near-perfect performance as he downed the resurgent Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-3 in their semi-final clash on Saturday.
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The Serb will face world number three Roger Federer in the final after he won an all-Swiss second semi-final 7-5, 6-3 against Stanislas Wawrinka.
Djokovic will be buoyed by the fact that Federer’s wins over him this year have come in three-setters.
“I’m excited to be back for the semifinals”. I couldn’t expect more. In total, he won 89 per cent of first serve points and launched 24 winners.
Djokovic is bidding to become the first player to even win four straight titles at the World Tour Finals. Reaching the finals of all four Grand Slam events (winning three of them) was a career first. “Disappointing”, the 28-year-old, who fell at the group stage for the second year running, told reporters.
The rivalry between the two tennis giants couldn’t be any closer, with Federer leading, 22-21.
The two men will contest their seventh final this year – Djokovic has won four, including Wimbledon and the U.S. Open – after Federer saw off the challenge of Stan Wawrinka in the ATP World Tour Finals for the second year running in the semifinals at the O2 Arena.
“Everything”, Rafa said immediately. “Hitting incredible. Well, the return always fantastic”.
“I’ve lost against Roger three times this year”. Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s match, the season will still be the best that I had. “Obviously to have something like that just round the corner is good”, Murray said.
Djokovic and Nadal were meeting for a 46th time, with many of their previous encounters being gruelling epics full of brutal rallies, but here the Serbian was just too good.
“What Novak is doing is just wonderful”.
“[Djokovic] should be knocked out by now”, quipped Federer on court.
“I didn’t find it hard not thinking about the Davis Cup final, to be honest”. Why did he play that way? “Happy for that. Just want to try to keep working the same way to keep confirming that I am in the completely right direction”.
From then on he was barely troubled by the 14-times grand slam champion who could make little impression.
That match ended with Wawrinka and Federer’s wife Mirka embroiled in a row after she called him a “cry baby” on court. On the first point of the final game, his forehand volley was so pure it caused Wawrinka to fall down trying to change direction. Federer is gunning for a record 7 title, while Djokovic is aiming for a 4 consecutive title.
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Federer – who then withdrew from the subsequent final due to a back problem – and Wawrinka rebuilt their relationship in time for the Davis Cup final against France but any lingering resentment would surely be exposed as both players honed in on Sunday’s final.
