Djokovic turns on style to beat Wawrinka at O2
WORLD No1 Novak Djokovic stayed on course for a third successive ATP World Tour Finals title with a blistering annihilation of Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka last night in London.
Djokovic, who is seeking his fourth success overall at the lucrative season-ending tournament, won 12 out of 13 games to thrash Wawrinka 6-3, 6-0 at the O2 and tighten his grip on Group A. It all but confirmed his place in the competition’s semi-finals and his position atop the world rankings for the end of 2014.
Wawrinka appeared to be on course for an upset when he won the first two games, but the Swiss was soon swept aside as Djokovic delivered a masterclass in hard-court tennis.
“I thought he played exceptionally well the first two games,” said the Serb, who also made light work of Marin Cilic in Monday’s opening contest. “But I didn’t get frustrated. I just hope I can continue this way because I am feeling good on the court. I’d give both matches 10 out of 10 – it can’t get much better.”
Djokovic’s emphatic win meant all eight matches at the tournament have been completed in straight sets, with the higher-ranked player triumphing on every occasion.
World No7 Tomas Berdych had helped to prolong that trend earlier yesterday when he defeated Croatian Cilic 6-3, 6-1. Berdych faces Djokovic on Friday, with Cilic playing Wawrinka.
ORDER OF PLAY
Today’s schedule
■ Kei Nishikori [5] (JPN) v Milos Raonic [8] (CAN). Not before 2pm
■ Roger Federer [2] (SWI) v Andy Murray [6] (GBR). Not before 8pm