Novak Djokovic Beats Rublev to Reach ATP Finals Semifinals

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Russia's Andrey Rublev during their ATP World Tour Finals singles tennis match, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, on Nov. 17, 2021. Luca Bruno/AP Photo

TURIN, Italy—Novak Djokovic advanced to the semifinals of the ATP Finals by beating Andrey Rublev 6–3, 6–2 on Wednesday.

The top-ranked Djokovic is attempting to match Roger Federer’s record of six titles at the season-ending event for the top eight players in the world.

Djokovic was again almost perfect on his serve, although Rublev managed to break him in the opening game. Djokovic broke twice in each set and won the match with his 12th ace.

Russia's Andrey Rublev serves a ball to Serbia's Novak Djokovic during their ATP World Tour Finals singles tennis match, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, on Nov. 17, 2021. Luca Bruno/AP Photo

“I knew that I had to be on my toes and start well,” Djokovic said. “I dropped my serve again like in the first match. It was quite a nervous start from both of us until 4–3, then with new balls I somehow managed to find the right shots at the right time.

“Winning the first set I put additional pressure on him, and I started to maybe play more consistently from the back of the court. I served well, that helped tremendously. I wanted to put him out of his comfort zone, taking away the time and mix up the pace.”

Djokovic is now 2–0 in the Green Group. He beat Casper Ruud in his opening group match.

Ruud kept alive his hopes of making the semifinals by fighting back from a set down to beat Cameron Norrie 1–6, 6–3, 6–4. He now faces Rublev on Friday with a place in the final four on the line for both players.

Norrie was called in as the second alternate after 2019 champion Stefanos Tsitsipas was forced to withdraw with an injured elbow. Matteo Berrettini was replaced by Jannik Sinner on Tuesday.

Sinner had won his match just hours after finding out he would play in the tournament and it seemed as if Norrie was going to do the same after a storming start from the British player.

But Ruud slowly started coming back into the match and leveled following an error-strewn second set from Norrie.

The decisive moment happened in the fifth game of the third set. Norrie managed to save two break points but double faulted to hand the Norwegian the advantage.

Ruud went on to waste three match points but won his first ever match at the ATP Finals with a powerful serve that Norris could not return.