ATP World Tour Finals: Djokovic crushes Nadal to retain title

The message from Novak Djokovic could not have been more emphatic as he retained his title at the ATP World Tour Finals on Monday with a crushing victory over Rafa Nadal.

Nadal deservedly ends the year as the world No. 1 after an incredible comeback from injury but the way the Serb ran him ragged in a 6-3 6-4 victory at the O2 Arena was an ominous smoke signal ahead of next year.

Djokovic provided a one hour, 36 minute masterclass in power and precision and if anything the scoreline flattered Nadal, who spent most of the match dancing to his opponent's tune.

After a week of sell-out crowds at the spectacular London arena alongside the River Thames it was appropriate that the world's two best players should meet for a 39th time - the most of any modern-day rivalry.

Both players had won all their round-robin matches before cruising through Sunday's semi-finals.

Nadal was bidding to land the title for the first time to cap a year that saw him roar back to the top of the rankings with 10 titles while Djokovic was finishing the season like a steamroller, winning 21 successive matches since losing to the Spaniard in the U.S. Open final.

Apart from a few jaw-dropping rallies, however, the fireworks were confined to those that lit up the court as Djokovic got his hands on the trophy named in honour of the late ATP executive chairman Brad Drewett, who died this year.

"I think at the beginning he was playing much better than me, the first three games no doubt," Nadal told reporters.

"After that I didn't see the difference."

The statistics offered a clue, however.

Djokovic hit 19 winners to Nadal's nine, committed less errors and served much better than his opponent, who threw in some costly double faults when he was broken early in the second set.

IMMACULATE TENNIS

Djokovic dominated virtually from start to finish and despite the 17,000 crowd willing Nadal to drag the match into a decider, he was powerless to fight off an opponent who peppered the lines with relentless accuracy.

The Serb, who ceded top spot to Nadal in October, began the final as if he had a point to prove.

Playing immaculate tennis, Djokovic raced into a 3-0 lead as Nadal struggled for timing.

Nadal finally began to get on the front foot and won the next three games as Djokovic's level dipped briefly.

Djokovic edged in front again and broke serve with one of the points of the tournament, a spellbinding rally in which he sprinted across the baseline to produce an inch-perfect lob before stealing in to the net and winning a quickfire exchange of volleys before raising his fists to the crowd.

Having taken the opening set, some uncharacteristic errors from Nadal allowed Djokovic to seize complete control early in the second.

The world number two looked to be running away and moved in for the kill with some more break points at 2-4 but Nadal's pride dug him out of a deep hole.

Nadal saved a match point at 5-3 and another when he chased down a drop shot at 5-4, but Djokovic merely sucked in some air, blasted down his sixth ace and then clinched victory when Nadal sent a forehand just wide.

Novak Djokovic gave Rafael Nadal a masterclass in power and precision to defend his title at the ATP World Tour Finals, crushing the world No. 1 6-3 6-4 in the final on Monday.

The Serb dominated from start to finish, winning the pair's 39th career meeting with surprising ease.

He began the final as if with a point to prove after losing his No.1 ranking to the Spaniard in October.

Playing immaculate tennis, Djokovic raced into a 3-0 lead, only to lose the next three games as Nadal began to unwind.

Djokovic edged in front again and broke in jaw-dropping style in the eighth game, haring across the baseline to produce an inch-perfect lob before stealing in to the net where he won a quickfire exchange of volleys.

Uncharacteristic errors from the Nadal racket allowed Djokovic to seize complete control early in the second set as the world number two looked to be running away with it.

Nadal dug himself out of trouble at 2-4 as Djokovic moved in for the kill, saving two break points, but there was no way back as the Serb sealed a comprehensive victory on his third match point.

SECOND SET (Djokovic 6-4)

The stunning Djokovic fights hard before wrapping the game, set and match despite some stiff resistance from Nadal. From a match point,  Nadal drags it to deuce before Djokovic fires an ace and then secures another point to seal the match. Champion stuff from Djokovic. Djokovic 6 Nadal 4 Huge cheers as he celebrates his victory.  

Djokovic gets a break point but Nadal manages to erase it before he fights on to win the game. Nadal keeps the hopes alive. Nadal 4 Djokovic 5.

Djokovic is in stunning form as he drops just a point before running away with the game comfortably. It's just one game away for the Serb from the title. Nadal 3 Djokovic 5.

Unbelievable tennis as Djokovic is proving to be too good at this stage. Nadal running out of ideas as Djokovic wins two breakpoints after some breathtaking rallies. Despite the pressure of a second break, Nadal does manage to save the game with some strong serves. This gives Nadal a fighting chance. Nadal 3 Djokovic 4.

Djokovic wins another game but not before Nadal gives him some anxious moments. Nadal did make him run around with a few lovely baseline shots but Djokovic proved to be too good. Nadal 2 Djokovic 4 .

Nadal too responds well to win the game losing just a point. He holds his serve but is still a break down. Djokovic 3 Nadal 2

It's looking all easy for Djokovic. Does not lose a point to win the game comfortably. Djokovic leads 3-1.

BREAK! Nadal seems to be losing focus. Unforced errors leaves him at 0-40 giving Djokovic triple breakpoints. Nadal fights back to win two points before Djokovic wins the final breakpoint. Nadal 1 Djokovic 2.

Djokovic loses the first point but then wraps the game without much issues. Nadal 1 Djokovic 1.

From 0-30 Nadal fights back to win four straight points to hold his serve. Nadal 1 Djokovic 0.

FIRST SET (Djokovic 6-3)

Unbelievable tennis happening at the O2. Power-packed shots before Djokovic holds his nerve to seal the game and the set. Djokovic 6 Nadal 3. 

BREAK! Djokovic had a breakpoint after Nadal kept hitting the net too often. But Nadal manages to take it to deuce before a double fault and a great rally goes in favour of Djokovic as he secures his second break. Djokovic 5 Nadal 3

Djokovic holds on to his serve. Good serves followed by powerful forehands. A bit more relaxed now. Djokovic 4 Nadal 3

Impressive baseline shots from both but Nadal gets it right while Djokovic has too many unforced errors. Nadal wins three games in a row. Djokovic 3 Nadal 3.

BREAK! Nadal finds his groove. He comes up with some lovely forehand shots and earns a double breakpoint. But Djokovic is quick to recover to take it to deuce before Nadal steps up the gas to win two points to seal the game. Djokovic 3 Nadal 2.

Djokovic is not letting Nadal settle down. Leading 30-0 Nadal lost three points in a row to give Djokovic a break point. But the Spaniard pulled it at the right time to win his first game. Djokovic leads 3-1.

Djokovic was leading 40-15 before Nadal made an impressive return to close in to 40-30 but committed an unforced error as the Serb went up 3-0.

BREAK! Three break points for Djokovic but Nadal  manages to save just one off it before surrendering it. Djokovic leads 2-0.

It's a beautiful start for Djokovic. Easily wraps up the first game to lead 1-0.

So here we are... Both Nadal and Djokovic began warming up. It's been an amazing road to the final for both of them, especially for Nadal who went up the rankings. We expect a cracker of a contest.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic will meet world number one Rafa Nadal in the final at the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London on Monday.

Djokovic defeated Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3 6-3 on Sunday.

In the first semifinal Nadal beat Wawrinka's fellow Swiss Roger Federer 7-5 6-3.

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