With a clinical win over Andrey Rublev, world # 1 Novak Djokovic became the first player to book his place in the semifinals. Djokovic booked his position in the semifinals of the ATP Finals 2021 in Turin, Italy, with a 6-3, 6-2 thrashing in the second group encounter, on Wednesday, his 50th match win of the year, while Stefanos Tsitsipas pulled out due to an elbow injury.
Djokovic, who won his first encounter against Casper Ruud, got off to a shaky start against Rublev in his first career meeting when he was broken in the first game.
The Serbian, who was seeking his sixth victory at the season-ending event, was granted a quick reprieve when Rublev double-faulted, allowing Djokovic to convert the second of two breakpoints. The two were evenly matched until the eighth game when Djokovic pounced on a hard volley from Rublev and blasted a winning pass past the Russian to take the crucial break and the opening set.
World # 1 was more secure in the second set, driving his opponent into errors that enabled Djokovic to prevail in 68 minutes for his 40th ATP Finals victory. With two wins from two matches, the 34-year-old and 20-time Grand Slam winner leads the Green Group standings and is assured of a spot in the last four. Norrie will make his tournament debut against Norway's Ruud on Wednesday before facing Djokovic on Friday.
"I always like playing new players, particularly in one of the greatest tournaments in the world here in Turin. Cameron deserves to be here, it’s not lucky," Djokovic said.
"He worked his way to Turin with great wins in Indian Wells and some other tournaments, so it will be fun to watch him tonight against Ruud and I’ll get ready for my next match."
Norrie is the second alternate drafted in, following the retirement of Italian Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday, who was replaced by fellow countryman Jannick Sinner.