Novak Djokovic has competed at 15 editions of the ATP Finals. A six-time champion failed to score at least one round-robin victory only on his debut in 2007. Novak fell to David Ferrer, Richard Gasquet and Rafael Nadal to end his campaign earlier than expected.
Djokovic bounced back in 2008 and claimed his first ATP Finals crown over Nikolay Davydenko. The Serb has won at least a match in the previous 14 ATP Finals campaign, moving closer to Roger Federer’s record. Federer scored a victory at 17 ATP Finals, and Novak needs at least three more years to catch him.
Djokovic kicked off his 15th ATP Finals run with a triumph over Stefanos Tsitsipas a couple of weeks ago. Novak beat Stefanos 6-4, 7-6 in an hour and 37 minutes for his 42nd ATP Finals win. Djokovic toppled Tsitsipas for the tenth time in 12 matches and the ninth in a row.
The Serb defended the only break point and stole the rival’s serve once in the opener. Stefanos served well after that, but it was not enough to keep him safe and force a decider. The Greek stayed in touch in the shortest range up to four strokes.
Djokovic created the gap in the more extended rallies to seal the deal in straight sets and make a perfect start. Novak dropped only four points behind the initial shot in the opening set, facing no break points and keeping the pressure on the other side.
He had the advantage in the more extended exchanges and grabbed a single break for 6-4.
Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas at the ATP Finals.
Tsitsipas made a shaky start and lost serve in the encounter’s first game.
Novak seized the second break chance following the rival’s loose forehand for an early advantage. The Serb held at love in game two and fired a service winner at 2-1 to remain in front. Stefanos settled into a fine rhythm in his games after that early break, wrapping up the fifth game at love and remaining within one break deficit.
The Serb secured the sixth game with a service winner, and the Greek followed that pace in the next one. Novak closed the eighth game with an ace and forced the opponent to serve to stay in the set. Tsitsipas grabbed the ninth game at 15 to reduce the deficit and extend the battle, hoping for a chance on the return in the next one.
Instead, Novak brought the tenth game home at 15 after Stefanos’ poor challenge for 6-4 in 37 minutes. Djokovic fended off a break point in the second set’s fourth game and closed it for 2-2. It was the last opportunity for the returners ahead of the tie break, a must-win one for Tsitsipas.
Novak hit a volley winner at the net in the second point for 1-1 and claimed the third point after the rival’s wayward backhand. Djokovic grabbed a mini-break for 3-1 and extended the lead after Tsitsipas’ forehand error.
Stefanos reduced the deficit to 5-2 with a forehand down the line winner and claimed the next point with a service winner. Novak earned two match points with a forehand winner at 5-4 and sealed the deal with a service winner in the 11th point for a winning start. 
