LONDON - Novak Djokovic began his campaign to reclaim the world
number one ranking with a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 win over Italy's
Matteo Berrettini on Sunday at the ATP Finals in London.
After an even start through the first four games, the 32-year-old
Serbian broke Berrettini's serve twice to take the first set lead
inside half an hour.
Berrettini, who had never faced Djokovic before, crumbled through
errors and was broken three more times as Djokovic sealed his victory
with an effortless forehand in 63 minutes.
It was the start Djokovic needed if he is to take back the world
number one ranking from Rafael Nadal, who leads by 640 points.
The 16-time grand slam winner must at least reach the final at
London's O2 Arena with two round robin successes if he is to overtake
Nadal and equal Pete Sampras' record of six year-end number one
finishes.
Djokovic sits at the top of the Bjorn Borg group after his latest
triumph, which also features Roger Federer and Austria's Dominic
Thiem, and they will play later on Sunday.