14:49
Rublev 4-6 Djokovic
Djokovic grabs it immediately, doesn’t play the backhand return that quickly, but cleverly and with an eye. For Rublev that is unattainable.
14:47
Rublev 4-5 Djokovic
Rublev then throws a backhand without needing to. This gives the very first breakball ever in the match, which is also a set point.
14:46
Rublev 4-5 Djokovic
However, the Russian does not know how to use his ball. In one of the longest rallies, the 25-year-old got his forehand in the net and had to go over the top again.
14:45
Rublev 4-5 Djokovic
In this situation, Rublev manages two aces in a row. The first of the two still has to withstand Djokovic’s challenge.
14:42
Rublev 4-5 Djokovic
So Rublev now has the pressure to serve against losing the set. But then he makes mistakes. A forehand touches down too late. 15:30! We haven’t had that before.
14:40
Rublev 4-5 Djokovic
The Serb is still not showing any weaknesses. The first comes up about 75 percent of the time and always gets the point. He managed at least one ace in all his service games. So now – and it’s 5: 4 for Djokovic.
14:37
Rublev 4-4 Djokovic
Then Rublev wins the game with his sixth ace to 4:4.
14:37
Rublev 3-4 Djokovic
In fact, Rublev leaves all three balls and we experience a debut for the first time. Of course Djokovic senses his chance. The field is then also open, but the Serb warps his forehand. Missed the chance!
14:36
Rublev 3-4 Djokovic
Shortly thereafter, three game balls are ready. Rublev allows himself the first double mistake of the match, then becomes too long from the baseline. For the first time, a first serve doesn’t get the point.
14:35
Rublev 3-4 Djokovic
Once again Rublev has to follow suit and can do that with new balls. Djokovic attacks inside-out with a forehand, storms the net and catches the counterattack. How does the Russian play this backhand so short cross into the field. That’s sensational.
14:32
Rublev 3-4 Djokovic
The Serb’s serves do the rest. The 35-year-old seems a bit more confident when he is serving his own service. The conclusion is once again an ace – his seventh.
14:30
Rublev 3-3 Djokovic
Meanwhile, Rublev seems to have adjusted his sights. ‘His forehand lands right back in the corner. Now the Djoker also has a 15 both.
14:29
Rublev 3-3 Djokovic
Rublev is unimpressed. Again there is a rally, in this case a cross duel. Then the Russian changes rhythm and sinks the forehand inside-in to win the game.
14:28
Rublev 2-3 Djokovic
In the next longer rally, Rublev is at a disadvantage. His forehand is clearly too long. For the first time, a server gives up two points.
14:27
Rublev 2-3 Djokovic
For the first time today we have a 15 both. Rublev reacts to this with his fourth ace. Shortly thereafter, two balls are ready again.
14:26
Rublev 2-3 Djokovic
Now there are a few longer rallies. Rublev stands close to the baseline, stands on the backhand and sets it against the direction of the opponent’s movement.
14:24
Rublev 2-3 Djokovic
When the first serve comes, both make the point 100 percent. And Djokovic keeps shooting sharply. Two aces again, back to zero – that’s pretty snappy.
14:22
Rublev 2-2 Djokovic
But the Serbs can’t get more. Rublev produces three aces in this game – two of them at the end and makes it 2:2.
14:21
Rublev 1-2 Djokovic
After that there is the second point today for a setback. Djokovic realizes this with a strong forehand winner.
14:21
Rublev 1-2 Djokovic
Now Rublev manages the first ace. The ball whizzes through the middle, Djokovic looks again, but then accepts it. 30:0!
14:19
Rublev 1-2 Djokovic
So far, the servers have not shown any weakness at all and have so far given up a single point. And Djokovic is now proving that, as a former number 1, he can of course also change to zero through his service. Again there are two aces.
14:17
Rublev 1-1 Djokovic
Rublev marches through even more quickly, completing his first service game to zero and proving that he too quickly found his rhythm.
14:16
Rublev 0-1 Djokovic
Now it’s time for Rublev to get going – The Russian quickly gets to a point via a good serve. The 25-year-old also masters clever service to the outside world.
14:15
Rublev 0-1 Djokovic
The Djoker then produces his second ace and closes the game to 1:0.
14:14
Rublev 0-0 Djokovic
Djokovic is there to the point, ignites the first ace and quickly organizes three balls. It’s not the first one yet, because the Serb gets a backhand longline too long.
14:12
1 sentence
Djokovic has just opened the match – and has to try the second serve. The 35-year-old plays it cleverly to the outside and doesn’t have to do any more because Rublev clearly distorts his forehand return.
14:08
Head 2 Head
For the third time Rublev and Djokovic face each other on the tennis court. The balance sheet was balanced. In 2021 at the ATP Finals, the Serb prevailed in two sets. This season they met in the final in Belgrade. In front of a home crowd, Djokovic was at a disadvantage against Rublev and went down 0: 6 in the 3rd set.
14:04
Entry and coin toss
At this moment, our protagonists enter the court in the Pala Alpitour. After a few steps of preparation, you meet with the French chair umpire Aurélie Tourte to vote at the net. The coin falls in favor of the 7-seeded Serb, who decides to serve. Then both play a bit.
13:56
Djokovic at the finals
Djokovic is appearing at the ATP Finals for the 15th time since 2007. The Serb became ATP champion for the first time in 2008. Between 2012 and 2015, the former number 1 in the world won four titles in a row. Now the Djoker is aiming for his sixth triumph to catch up with record champion Roger Federer. He has the two-set win at the start against Stefanos Tsitsipas in his luggage. So whoever wins today – Rublev or Djokovic – has the best chance of reaching the semifinals. The Djoker can make that clear with a two-set success on his own.
13:46
Djokovic 2022
Djokovic has also collected four titles this year and now has a total of 90 tournament wins. The triumph in Wimbledon shines above all achievements this season, which meant his 21 Grand Slam titles – only Rafael Nadal has one more to his credit. When it comes to the Masters, nobody can fool the Serbs. His 38 titles at this level are unmatched. The 35-year-old even realized the unique Golden Masters – triumphing at least once in all tournaments in the Masters series. There was also a win in these 1,000s in 2022 (Rome). The right-hander recently won in Tel Aviv and Astana in October. Recently in Paris-Bercy, the world number eight couldn’t defend his title and suffered a defeat in the final against Holger Rune.
13:36
Rublev 2022
Rublev achieved his supposed greatest success as a doubles player. In Tokyo 2021, the Russian won Olympic gold in mixed with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. He has never managed such a big hit in a single. The former number 5 in the world has made it into a Grand Slam quarterfinal six times – but never beyond. The Muscovite has never won a Masters either, and has two final defeats. So he celebrated his twelve tournament victories at smaller events – a maximum of 500. This season, the seventh in the world rankings accomplished the feat of winning all four of his finals – most recently in October in Gijón.
13:26
Rublev at the finals
Rublev is at the ATP Finals for the third time. So far, the Russian has never gotten past the group stage, winning just one match each in 2020 and 2021. The 25-year-old already has this one success in his pocket this year. Two days ago, the right-hander defeated his compatriot Daniil Medvedev after falling behind in a set. The foundation stone for the first semifinals would have been laid, but Rublev also won his first match twelve months ago, then had to play against Djokovic and lost against him – just like afterwards against Casper Ruud and was eliminated.
13:16
Welcome
Welcome to the fourth day of the ATP Finals in Turin! As part of the individual competition, it’s the Red Group’s turn again today. Andrey Rublev and Novak Djokovic meet at 2:00 p.m.