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Djokovic needed only one match win at the ATP Finals to be sure of starting 2024 in top spot; 24-time Grand Slam champion defeated Holger Rune 7-6 6-7 6-3 to continue his unbeaten streak that stretches back to the Wimbledon final
Novak Djokovic ensured he will finish the year ranked world No 1 for an eighth time after battling to a late-night victory over Holger Rune in his opening match at the ATP Finals.
Djokovic is chasing a record seventh title but again found 20-year-old Rune, who is making his debut at the eight-man event, a troublesome opponent before pulling off a third win in five meetings.
It was past midnight in Turin when Djokovic completed a 7-6 (4) 6-7 (1) 6-3 victory after three hours and four minutes on court.
READ MORE:Novak Djokovic ends year as world number one after beating Holger Rune and declare…
Rune has fared much better against Djokovic than most of his rivals over the last couple of years, beating him in Paris last autumn and Rome in the spring before a narrow defeat in the French capital a week-and-a-half ago. The Serbian went on to claim the Masters series title.
Djokovic broke straight away to start the deciding set, only for this time Rune to recover the deficit immediately. A frustrated Djokovic stamped on two rackets and snapped the frames, but he broke again to lead 4-2 and this time there was no way back for Rune.
Djokovic told Prime Video: “It took everything. I saw in the first game when he fired shots from the baseline, I knew it was going to be a tough night for me. I thought he played great. I played great in some moments.
