ATP Finals: Novak Djokovic beats Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to reach ninth final

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic wrapped up a year of intense matches against Carlos Alcaraz in spectacular fashion on Saturday at the Nitto ATP Finals with a 6-3, 6-2 semi-final triumph over the World No. 2 in Turin.

The 36-year-old Serbian who is one win away from a record seventh Nitto ATP Finals crown will meet with home favourite Jannik Dinner for the title on Sunday.

“After spending a lot of time on the court in the first three matches, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel tonight,” said Djokovic. “This year I wasn’t maybe as sharp in the second and third group matches, particularly, but I think tonight from the very beginning I felt the ball well.

In the 88-minute match, Djokovic proved to be at his absolute best, winning his third Lexus ATP Head2Head against Alcaraz this year.

“I approached the match with the right attitude, the right mentality, and I knew from the very first point it was going to be greatly intense. He had break points right away, 15/40 in the first game. That’s Carlos. He always brings out his best in these kinds of matches and starts with a lot of high qualifty tennis and intensity. You’ve got to match that, try to weather the storm, and I did that.”

With victory over Carlos Alcaraz in Turin, Novak Djokovic has become the first player to reach multiple finals at the ATP Finals after turning 35, since the event’s inauguration in 1970.