World No 1 Novak Djokovic began his bid for a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title with a straight-sets win over Casper Ruud on Monday.
Djokovic, Finals champion in 2008 and every year from 2012 to 2015, dropped just four points on his first serve to seal a 7-6, 6-2 victory against the Norwegian debutant in Turin.
The 34-year-old Serb is looking to cap another remarkable year by joining Roger Federer as the season-ending tournament's most successful player, and he got off to a strong start against a player who appeared unfazed in his first ATP Finals match.
Ruud, the world No 8, could easily have taken a one-set lead. The 22-year-old came out firing by breaking Djokovic in the very first game, but by game seven the 20-time Grand Slam champion was in front 4-3 and looked well placed to take the first set.
Djokovic arrived at game 10 with his one-game lead intact and the match apparently turning in his favour but Ruud saved two break points to hold his serve and eventually take the set to a tie-break.
Ruud held a 4-3 advantage but Djokovic turned up the pressure by winning four straight points to claim the first set, and from there he raced clear.
Djokovic immediately broke Ruud at the start of the second set and he ultimately strolled to victory, breaking one more time to claim the second set and the match in 90 minutes.
It was Djokovic's sixth straight match victory having claimed the Paris Masters title earlier this month. That triumph in the French capital came in his first tournament since losing the US Open final, which scuppered his chances of achieving the calendar Grand Slam following titles at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon.
Djokovic, who will end the year as world No 1 for a record seventh time and was presented with the trophy following his win over Ruud, will also face Greek world No 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas and fifth-ranked Andrey Rublev from Russia in the ATP Finals' Green Group.
The top two after the round robin stage will advance to the semi-finals, where the group winner will face the runner-up in the Red Group, whose winner will face the Green Group's runner-up.
The Red Group features Russia's world No 2 Daniil Medvedev, who beat Djokovic in the US Open final for his first major title, German world No 3 Alexander Zverev, seventh-ranked Matteo Berrettini from Italy, and Polish world No 9 Hubert Hurkacz.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
