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Djokovic beats Federer to ATP Tour Finals crown

Novak Djokovic finished the best season of his life in fitting style as the world No.1 crushed Roger Federer 6-3 6-4 on Sunday to win the ATP Tour Finals title for a record fourth successive year.

Djokovic is the first player in the tournament’s 46-year history to take home the trophy four years in a row and he joins Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl on five victories at the season-ending event.

Only Federer, with six Tour Finals crowns, has won the tournament more times.

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The 11th title of Djokovic’s astonishingly dominant campaign served as the perfect finale to arguably the best run by any male player in the Open Era.

Playing in a record 15th consecutive tour-level final, Djokovic delivered another masterclass to record his 82nd victory from 88 matches this year and bank the winners’ cheque for more than $A1.4 million.

“I’m very proud, together with my team, for the achievements of the season. It could not have been a better finish. It’s been a long season, but the best of my life,” said Djokovic.

In dispatching Federer with such ease after an equally imperious semi-final win over Rafael Nadal, Djokovic showed why he has been able to move so far ahead of his rivals in a year in which he also won Wimbledon and the Australian and US Opens.

Meanwhile, Federer’s defeat means Andy Murray is guaranteed to finish second in the year-end world rankings for the first time.

“I tried my best, I thought I played some great tennis all week and in the final, but Novak deserves the win today like so many times this year,” said 34-year-old Federer.

Djokovic and Federer have been the gold standard at the Tour Finals for over a decade, lifting the trophy 10 times between them in the last 12 years and making it to the final a combined 15 times.

– AAP

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