Novak Djokovic in finals of ATP World Tour Finals, beats Nadal in straight sets

Djokovic took the win in just over an hour to deny Nadal a finals spot

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, the runner-up in his group – Stan Smith – at the ATP World Tour Finals, routed Rafael Nadal in straight sets at the pair’s semi-final match-up tonight.

The Spaniard, who topped his group – Ilie Nastase – ahead of Swiss ace Stan Wawrinka, was outplayed by the Serb, who won 6-3, 6-3 in dominant fashion to cruise into the finals in just over an hour and 15 minutes.

Djokovic hit 4 aces over the course of the match, with Nadal able to muster 3. Showing just how tight a game he played, Novak Djokovic was not taken to break point even once during the match, while Nadal was taken to break point 5 times, 4 of which came in the second set; the Spaniard was able to save only 2.

Nadal appeared to come back somewhat in the second set, managing to claw his way back in, shortening Djokovic’s lead in the second set as the Serb led 4-2. Closing it out to 4-3, although he appeared to be faltering, Nadal still seemed as though he had some momentum left. He appeared to be running away from defeat even as it inched closer to him, but it was a battle he would go on to lose.

Leading 5-3, all Djokovic had left to do was break Nadal to close out the match – and although Nadal made a last-ditch attempt to stave off what was by now the inevitable, he was unable to.

Djokovic will now play the winner of the other semi-final, an all-Swiss affair. Stan Smith leader Roger Federer takes on his compatriot and Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka in the other semi-final, with Federer the overwhelming favourite to win.

This would mean a fan favourite Federer-Djokovic final at the year-end event; the two previously met in the round robin stages, with Federer upsetting Djokovic in straight sets. The pair had also made the finals at the 2014 WTF, but a last minute retirement by Federer gave Djokovic the walkover and title.

Their rivalry, the stuff of tennis legend, is still nearly completely even, with the Serb the reigning champion at this tournament.