ATP Finals in Turin, Preliminary Round, Matchday 3, Friday
Will there be a sixth title at the ATP Finals? The experts are almost unanimous: Novak Djokovic can really only beat himself. He is already qualified for the semi-finals, now a third win should round off the perfect preliminary round.
The world number one wants to leave no doubt that the trophy will only go through him. The bookies’ odds? Shockingly low, as usual! Do I come to the same conclusion in my Djokovic Norrie tip?
The tears have dried, the will to win is back. Novak Djokovic is looking to close out 2021 with his sixth ATP Finals title. A few weeks after the painful US Open final, he wants to beat the entire top elite.
Between 2012 and 2015, he won the unofficial world tennis championship, but did he run out of steam in the last few years? In fact, Djokovic has been waiting six years for another triumph. In 2020, he was defeated by Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals.
By the way, three wins in the preliminary round are not synonymous with victory in the end; in 2016 and 2018, the world number one lost the decisive match in the end. But enough of history, because in the last few days the Djoker left no stone unturned.
After a slight start against Casper Ruud, he finally won 7-6, 6-2. The Norwegian could not keep up with 90% of the points won on serve 1 and just one break chance offered.
Djokovic even went one better against Andrey Rublev, winning 6-3, 6-2. Again, his opponent was allowed to break only once. 24 aces and not a single double fault, the multiple ATP champion seems to be in top shape in Turin.
In contrast to some of his competitors, because he would actually play Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday. But since the Greek had to withdraw, his new opponent is Cameron Norrie.
For the very first time, Djokovic will meet the Englishman. And although he too is naturally high up in the rankings, the odds once again know no mercy. A win for the Serbian doesn’t make 1.15, no bookmaker can deliver profitable values here.
In this respect, Norrie is the glaring outsider, at Bet365, for example, they even boast a 7.00. Yet he had actually started really strong. After a cold start, he won the first set against Ruud 6-1! However, he profited from the weaknesses of his opponent.
Ruud then pulled away and Norrie finally lost 6-1, 3-6, 4-6. A hard-fought match, but without a point in the end. He can no longer reach the semi-finals, because Tsitsipas had already lost one match.
In this respect, the Englishman can actually serve freely and see what is possible against the champion. In Vienna, the 26-year-old already had Felix Auger-Aliassime on the brink of defeat, and he even won the Masters in Indian Wells!
Four more appearances in a semi-final and a title, so in total their two – the unexpected participation in Turin is just an automatic confirmation for the good performances Norrie has delivered in 2021.
By the way, against Casper Ruud one could observe a peculiarity in the service game. 91% points won on the 2nd serve? That is unusual! So Djokovic should be warned if the first one doesn’t come for once with the South African-born player.
Are some tennis fans already getting bored of placing their bets on Novak Djokovic? After two convincing wins against Rublev and Ruud, he seems to be marching on unstoppably.
In this respect, the question is: how quickly does the Djoker want to win?
He wouldn’t even need the win, he’s further along either way. Cameron Norrie has a thankless yet relaxed role. The Tsitsipas representative is already out, but can enjoy the last match of his finals debut for the time being.
I can’t imagine Djokovic giving him a chance. The world number one seems to be willing to show it to everyone, especially the waiting competitors from the other group. Therefore, my guess is:
It will be less than 21.5 games!
