Novak Djokovic concluded his scintillating 2015 ATP regular season by piling up even more records. The World No. 1 dispatched his childhood rival Andy Murray in fairly routine fashion 6-2, 6-4 to win the Paris Indoors Masters title Sunday, and become the first player to win the title their four times and the first to win six Masters in a single season.
“I think there are a few reasons why I have managed to reach my peak at this stage of my career this year,” Djokovic said. “I think in terms of physical and mental ability, I reached my peak experience wise. I obviously have had a lot of matches that in the past that have led me to where I am at this stage.”
Djokovic stormed out to an early break then added another to salt away the first set. Murray made some noise in the second, getting back on serve after going down early, but the Scot who was playing in his first Paris final couldn’t sustain any momentum.
“There was couple of games in the second set where Andy started turning things around, so things could have gone different way as they did maybe yesterday against Wawrinka at same stage,” said Djokovic who has won Paris three straight years. “But I managed to stay tough. It was, all in all, the best performance of the week, and it came at the right time.”
On the slow Paris courts, Djokovic won 72% of his second serves which was a greater percentage than his first serve points won at 66%. Murray finished winning a dismal 35% of second serves. Murray also added 34 unforced errors on a tough day while Djokovic made just 12 errors against 10 winners.
Djokovic has won 22 straight matches and 32 of his last 33 sets. He’s also got 10 titles on the season and he’s a jaw-dropping 27-4 vs the Top 10 players.
He’ll go to London as the overwhelming favorite to win the ATP Finals. And he’ll hope to cap the year off in style, something he didn’t do in 2011.
“I will continue to do what I’m doing so far,” Djokovic said. “There is no reason for me to decrease the pace of the training and preparations and performances. It’s the last tournament of the year, very big tournament where I have done very well in the past.
“I look forward to it, especially because of the fact that I have had a season that I have had and the way that I’m feeling confidently. Hopefully I can finish off the season with another great win.”
Murray has now lost 10 of his last 11 to Djokovic.
“Obviously this year [Novak’s] level has been incredible,” said Murray. “Since the beginning of last year, my results against him and Roger, from my perspective, haven’t been good enough. I need to do better in those matchups.
“It’s harder playing against the best players. Those two are two of the greatest players of all time, so there is no disgrace in losing to them. But I do feel like I need to start doing better in those matchups, because the scoreline in the last couple of matches there hasn’t been good.”
Murray now has to focus on the ATP Finals and then the David Cup tie against Belgium.
“Today, again, I would have liked to have done better, but getting to the finals of a Masters 1000 is good. It’s not like it’s a bad result, but I would like to have done better today.”
Highlights:
You Might Like:
Nadal Reigns In Rome, Beats Djokovic For Second Straight Time To Win Sixth Title At Foro Italico
A List Of Novak Djokovic’s 2015 Achievements
Some Of Novak Djokovic’s Incredible Numbers [Chart]
Novak Djokovic Clinches 6th Year-End No. 1 Ranking
Djokovic Reigns In Rome, Beats Schwartzman For Record 36th Masters Title