By Chris Oddo | Saturday November 19, 2016
Novak Djokovic defeated Kei Nishikori to set up a battle for No.1 with Andy Murray.
Photo Source: CameraSport
The ATP’s year-end will be decided by a popcorn final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
More: Murray Edges Raonic in Epic Thriller
Djokovic booked his spot in the ATP Finals title match on Saturday by powering past Kei Nishikori, 6-1, 6-1. Djokovic won for the 16th consecutive time at the ATP Finals and the five-time champion will bid to tie Roger Federer on Sunday by winning a record sixth title.
Djokovic was never tested by Nishikori. The Serb won for the 10th consecutive time against the Japanese No. 1 behind 14 winners, nine of nine at the net and 6 of 11 break points converted.
“I started off very well, got to 4-0 lead and I pretty much executed everything that I practically planned to do,” Djokovic said after the match. “You never know how you are going to start but I started out very well, and you know obviously that helps when you’re playing against a top player.”
Djokovic broke Nishikori in each of his first five return games and sent the World No.5 packing in just 66 minutes.
“Kei was obviously a little bit tired and he was not close to his best tonight,” Djokovic said.
The Serb has now won 22 of his last 23 World Tour Finals matches and he appears to have put the disappointment of losing his No.1 ranking to Murray after the Paris Masters behind him.
“It’s been going in the right direction and I am very glad that I get to experience this feeling on the court,” he said in an on-court interview after the match. “Last couple of matches have been really pretty much flawless—hopefully we can have a great final.”
Djokovic will meet Murray for the 35th time. He leads the lifetime head-to-head 24-10 and has won 13 of the last 15 battles with Murray.
Sunday marks the first time in the history of the ATP Finals that the final and last match of the ATP season will decide the No.1 ranking. Murray reached the final earlier on Saturday when he won his 23rd consecutive match by defeating Milos Raonic in the longest three-set match of 2016.
Murray saved a match point to win, 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(9). It was his eighth consecutive win over Raonic. Murray has never been to the ATP Finals title match before. He has met Djokovic once previously at the ATP Finals, with Djokovic winning in three sets in Round Robin action in 2012.
“I’m really privileged and obviously honored to be a part of the history tomorrow with Andy, we have known each other for so many years,” Djokovic said. “This is maybe one of the biggest matches that we will ever play against each other, so let’s enjoy it.”