Novak Djokovic clinches formidable 50 and reaches semi-finals in Turin

Novak Djokovic surpassed 50 match wins in 2021 after ousting Andrey Rublev to top his group and advance to the ATP finals last four. 

The world number one is now 50-6 this season after defeating the Russian world number five 6-3, 6-2.

2021 is the 13th time that Djokovic has record 50 or more wins in an ATP season.

In fact, since 2006, the Serb has not achieved the feat just twice. Once in 2017 due to an injury-shortened season and then in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I knew that I had to be on my toes and start well,” Djokovic said following the win over Rublev.

“I dropped my serve again like in the first match [against Casper Ruud].

“Winning the first set I put additional pressure on him, and I started to maybe play more consistently from the back of the court.

“I served well [and] that helped tremendously. I wanted to put him out of his comfort zone, taking away the time and mix up the pace. It was a great performance overall.”

As a result, Djokovic takes his win-loss tally across his ATP Finals career to 40-16.

In doing so he overtakes Ivan Lendl for second most tour finals wins ever.

Roger Federer is way out in first on 59 wins across 17 appearances between 2002 and 2019.

Djokovic is chasing another one of Federer’s records in Turin this year.

The Swiss has won the tour finals six times, while Djokovic has five titles, in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

In his final group stage match, Djokovic will take on world number 12 Cameron Norrie after the Brit was called up to the event as second alternate.

He replaced Stefanos Tsitsipas who withdrew from the event due to a right elbow injury.

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