19:48
Ruud – Djokovic 4: 4
The Norwegian can increase the serve pressure and turn the game around. It all boils down to the tie-breaker.
19:47
Ruud 3-4 Djokovic
Break deflected, Ruud brings the first serve straight through.
19:46
Ruud 3-4 Djokovic
Ruud has all the room in the world for the backhand volley but lets the ball bounce over the racquet. This gives the Djoker a break point!
19:42
Ruud 3-4 Djokovic
Now Djokovic makes it into the rallies in the return game and seems to have overcome his physical difficulties. Ruud makes two unforced errors, Djokovic equalizes both on 30!
19:41
Ruud 3-4 Djokovic
The game still clearly goes to the Serbs. The unforced error at the net remains the only loss of points.
19:39
Ruud 3-3 Djokovic
After a long time again a longer rally. Djokovic actually has everything under control, but ultimately uses the drop volley a little too laterally!
19:35
Ruud 3-3 Djokovic
After both players sniffed breaks at the beginning, the service games are currently becoming clearer. Ruud again hardly lets his opponent get into the rallies, brings the longline winner three times in a row with the second shot to the orphaned left side!
19:34
Ruud 2-3 Djokovic
The Serb can still walk the few meters to the net. And voilà, because of his good position on the ball he can load Ruud first and then hit the stop behind the net with a backspin! Djokovic doesn’t lose a single point in his own service game either.
19:32
Ruud 2-2 Djokovic
On his own serve he brings through a nice crossball with his forehand. This, however, almost from a standing start, he doesn’t seem as flexible as at the beginning.
19:28
Ruud 2-2 Djokovic
However, Djokovic cannot find his way into the return game at all and cannot win a single point for himself. Are you already feeling physical discomfort? He doesn’t seem to feel completely at ease.
19:27
Ruud 1-2 Djokovic
Then Djokovic also manages the ace through the middle, the Serb keeps the service game!
19:27
Ruud 1-1 Djokovic
Then another service winner afterwards, 30 both.
19:26
Ruud 1-1 Djokovic
Even what looks like an ace from Djoker, Ruud can still fend off far behind the baseline. The point still goes to Djokovic, who gets a little air.
19:25
Ruud 1-1 Djokovic
Applause for both players! Djokovic tries to complete an eternal rally with 25 long and precise shots with a surprising stop ball. But this falls a bit short and the Serb is 0:30 behind!
19:24
Ruud 1-1 Djokovic
Ruud is able to fend off a smash that is too central, after all Djokovic makes another unforced error and falls behind in his own service game.
19:23
Ruud 1-1 Djokovic
game turned! Ruud again lays the foundation with the opening shot, then brings through a cross against the running direction.
19:22
Ruud 0-1 Djokovic
Then Ruud brings through a tight serve and saves himself in the subsequent rally in the debut!
19:22
Ruud 0-1 Djokovic
The Serb misses the first chance. With the forehand he actually has all the space for the longliner, but wants to do it a bit too precisely.
19:21
Ruud 0-1 Djokovic
Then a return from Ruud that was set too far. Djokovic gets his first two breakballs early!
19:20
Ruud 0-1 Djokovic
Ruud has a chance for a drop ball, but sets it way too high. The Norwegian hasn’t really found his way into the match yet, falling behind in his own service game by 15:30!
19:19
Ruud 0-1 Djokovic
Djokovic also brings through a precise backhand longliner in the opposing service game! 15 both.
19:17
Ruud 0-1 Djokovic
A familiar face in the stands: Zlatan Ibrahimović is watching the match, as he is a professional soccer player just under 150 kilometers away in Milan.
19:16
Ruud 0-1 Djokovic
With a nice backhand longliner, the Serb finally makes everything clear and still decides the service game in his favor!
19:15
Ruud 0-0 Djokovic
Then, however, a service winner and an ace on the sidelines, which is still valid according to video evidence. The game is already shot!
19:15
Ruud 0-0 Djokovic
Let’s go wild! Djokovic, all in green, serves first. And he has to go into a long rally right away, in which he ultimately can no longer return via the net.
19:08
The players enter the court!
So it won’t be long before the last game of the season begins. Casper Ruud could stay second in the world rankings with a win today. Djokovic has already secured fifth place in the world rankings, which is astounding given the many events missed due to his vaccination status.
18:55
Direct comparison
The two players have met three times so far – all three clashes went to Djoker without losing a set, Ruud was unable to win more than four games in any set. The last encounter took place in May in the semi-finals in Rome, where Djokovic ultimately snatched the title.
18:46
Season form vs. tournament form
Djokovic has won ten of his last eleven matches against top 10 players. Ruud, on the other hand, didn’t really show form before the start of the tournament, leading to his statement before the match: “When the draw was made, I was probably the least expected as a finalist. The others might be better on hard ground, but it’s are such small differences in this sport!”
18:30
Experience vs Freshness
Due to his experience, also due to the performances this season (the Serb already won a big tournament with Wimbledon), Djokovic is of course the favorite in today’s match. However, the 35-year-old didn’t have his best day against Taylor Fritz yesterday and only turned up in both sets in the tie-break. Casper Ruud, on the other hand, dominated his match against Andriy Rublev. The big age difference between the two could definitely play a role in a final at the end of the year.
18:13
Warm welcome!
Good evening and welcome to the final of the ATP Finals! Novak Djokovic has the chance to win the title for the sixth time against Casper Ruud and thus draw level with Roger Federer. For the young Norwegian challenger, on the other hand, it would be the first major title. It starts at 7 p.m.!