The 20-year-old didn’t want to let Djokovic edge out a win this time around, however, as he broke back to stay hot on his heels at 1-2. The world No 1 walked to his bench for the changeover and let out his frustration, stomping on two rackets.
The release of emotion seemed to do the trick as he got one final, crucial break of the Rune serve to take a 4-2 lead, going on to close out a tight three-set victory in three hours and four minutes. It marks his 19th match win in a row and means that Djokovic has also secured the year-end No 1 ranking for a record-extending eighth time.
Ahead of the tournament, he admitted that it was his main goal over winning the ATP Finals. “For me, the biggest goal right now is to end the season as the No 1 player in the world, so hopefully I can clinch it,” Djokovic told ATP Media. “I need one win, so hopefully that happens. And then of course, I would love to win the tournament as well. But that’s the goal and then let’s see what happens afterwards.”
