Dominant Djokovic Retains Title

Djokovic retains World Tour Finals title

Novak Djokovic has won the ATP World Tour Finals for the second year in a row after defeating Rafael Nadal in straight sets 6-3 6-4 at the O2 Arena in London.

In a very dominant display Djokovic claimed his second straight win over Nadal, after victory by the same scoreline in the Beijing final, and means that Djokovic ends the year on a 22 match winning run.

It is the World Number 2 third success at the tournament for the having also won in 2008 and 2012.

The result leaves Nadal still waiting for his first World Tour Final having now been beaten in two finals however despite this disappointment it has possibly been his greatest year finishing with 2 Grand Slams and the World Number 1 ranking.

Nadal never really looked comfortable on the night whereas Djokovic, whom the indoor environment favours, looked right at home. The Serb started brilliantly gaining a 3-0 lead however a missed break point opportunity appeared to have changed the momentum as Nadal came storming back to 3-3. But Djokovic dug in from the Nadal onslaught and held for 4-3 before powering on to capitalise on 2 double faults by Nadal to gain the break and serve out the set.

The length and pace of Djokovic's play was just too good for Nadal during the first set and this continued into the second. Nadal's forehand was becoming ever looser as the unforced error count rose and Djokovic soon had a break and a 2-1 lead.

Nadal fought on and saved two break points to stop going further behind but in the end Djokovic was too strong and when another Nadal's forehand went wide the Serb had the victory.

Nadal was certainly not at his best with 4 double faults, 23 unforced errors and only 9 winners illustrating the trouble he was having.

This is a rivalry that now holds a 22-17 head-to-head advantage to Nadal however it is nicely poised for 2014. The battle between the two is sure to continue with the next possible meet being at the Australian Open in January, where Djokovic is the returning champion. Nadal was absent in 2013 but the two did meet in an incredible final back in 2012, one which Djokovic won in 5 sets in over 6 hours of playing time.

So plenty to look forward to as the battle between these two continues into 2014 and thats not to mention the return of Andy Murray to the fold as well as improving players such as Juan Martin Del Potro and not forgetting the great Roger Federer, can he mount a serious challenge in 2014?

I personally can not wait to watch it all unfold.