Novak Djokovic thrashes Kei Nishikori to open ATP Finals campaign

ByEurosport

Updated 15/11/2015 at 18:29 GMT

No one has come close to cracking the riddle of beating Novak Djokovic on an indoor court for more than three years and Kei Nishikori became the latest player to discover just how difficult it is to solve that puzzle.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic with Japan's Kei Nishikori after winning their match

Image credit: Reuters

Djokovic began his bid for a record fourth successive title at the ATP World Tour Finals with a brutal yet awe-inspiring 6-1 6-1 hammering that left Nishikori red faced.

"No question, it felt like the best tennis I played this year," the 28-year-old Serb told reporters.

"I was at my best and it was an incredible performance."

ATP Rome

Are Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic playing Italian Open? When does it start?

03/05/2024 at 10:50

Before the start of the match, both players stood heads bowed during a minute's silence in memory of the victims of Friday's Paris attacks - with the French flag's red-white-blue tricolour plastered on the electronic banner surrounding the O2 Arena.

General view of Japan's Kei Nishikori and Serbia's Novak Djokovic, spectators and officials during a minute silence in memory of the Paris attacks

Image credit: Reuters

It was not long before Djokovic was at his unrelenting best.

The Serbian world number one showed the kind of form that has made him an unbeatable force on indoor courts for more than three years with a 65-minute demolition job.

Djokovic subjected Nishikori to an array of heavy-duty groundstrokes, cruel lobs and sublime volleys as he chalked up his 38th successive win on an indoor court dating back to October 2012.

As Djokovic romped to a 3-0 lead in the opening set, there were few opportunities for Nishikori's fan club to pick up the vast numbers of Japanese flags draped over the arena's metal railings.

Novak Djokovic (ATP World Tour Finals)

Image credit: AFP

The red and white flags made a fluttering appearance when Nishikori finally held in the fourth game but the joy was fleeting as Djokovic easily sealed the first set before finishing off his opponent with a backhand volley.

"He played unbelievable tennis. I'm very ashamed with this score," said Nishikori, who is hoping for a better showing in his next two round robin matches.

"I couldn't do anything... didn't feel like I had any chances today."

However, Djokovic's primary concern was the victims of the deadly Paris attacks.

All my heart goes to the families of the lost ones. It's really devastating to see those images."

Kei Nishikori y Novak Djokovic (ATP World Tour Finals)

Image credit: AFP

Since none of Djokovic's rivals have worked out how to beat him indoors, one reporter asked the Serb for a solution.

"If I had (a solution), I wouldn't share it with you, that's for sure," he quipped.

Djokovic, who has lost only five times during a stellar season in which he won three out of the four grand slams, still has to play round-robin matches against Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych in the Stan Smith Group before the top two players advance to next weekend's semi-finals.

The season-ending tournament features the world's eight best players who are split into two groups. Andy Murray, Rafa Nadal, French Open champion Stan Wawrinka and David Ferrer will begin battle in the Illie Nastase Group on Monday.

Afterwards, Djokovic was presented with a trophy for finishing the year as world number one.