Novak Djokovic reached his second ATP Finals title match in 2012, the first since 2008. Novak faced Juan Martin del Potro in the semi-final and scored a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory in two hours and 12 minutes to set the title clash against Roger Federer!
Djokovic was very consistent that year, reaching 11 finals from 17 tournaments. Novak toppled Juan Martin for the seventh time in nine encounters and the third in a row in 2012. The Serb took 14 points more than the Argentine and made the difference with the first serve.
They both struggled on the second serve, and Djokovic produced better numbers in the pivotal moments to emerge at the top. Novak saved five out of seven break points and delivered four breaks to control the scoreboard in sets two and three.
World no. 1 had 30 winners and 25 unforced errors and overpowered the rival’s 25-30 ratio. They stayed neck and neck in the more extended exchanges. Djokovic forged the victory in the shortest and mid-range rallies to remain perfect in London and advance into the final.
Novak held after deuce in the encounter’s first game after a couple of good forehands. The Serb earned break chances in game two, and the Argentine defended both and closed it with a service winner for 1-1. Djokovic grabbed the fifth game with a service winner for 3-2 and squandered game points at 3-3.
Del Potro earned a break point and wasted it with a loose forehand. Novak clinched the game with a forehand winner to remain on the positive side. Del Potro locked the result at 4-4 with a hold at 15 and pushed strong on the return in the next one.
Novak netted a forehand to suffer a break at 15 and send Juan Martin 5-4 in front. Del Potro fired three winners in game ten to claim the opener 6-4 in 47 minutes. The Argentine took 12 of the last 13 points and gained a boost ahead of set number two.
Novak hit a double fault at the start of the second set and faced two break points. Djokovic stayed calm and denied them before erasing the third with a service winner to avoid a set and a break deficit.
Novak Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro at the ATP Finals.
Del Potro still pushed hard on the return and created three break chances with a smash winner at the net.
He seized the second after a 33-stroke rally and a powerful forehand that forced Djokovic’s mistake. Novak had no room for errors in the rest of the set, and he raised his level to get back on track. The Serb earned four break points in the fourth game and converted the last after the rival’s loose forehand to pull the break back and gain momentum.
Novak delivered quick points in the fifth game, and Juan Martin followed that pace in the next one for 3-3. Djokovic earned break chances in the eighth game after del Potro’s backhand mistake. Novak drew the opponent’s mistake to seize the second and open a 5-3 gap.
Djokovic served for the set in game nine and held at 30 to introduce a decider after 100 minutes. The Argentine held at love at the start of the third set, and the Serb painted a backhand down the line winner for 1-1. Novak stepped in on the return in game three and broke at love with a forehand crosscourt winner that sent him in front.
Djokovic confirmed the break with four winners in game four, imposing his strokes and moving closer to the finish line. Novak rattled off 12 of the previous 13 points and closed the sixth game with a service winner for 4-2.
With momentum on his side, Djokovic delivered another break in game seven and moved 5-2 in front. Novak served for the victory in game eight and landed four winners to emerge at the top and advance into the final.
