SPORTS

Djokovic reigns in Paris; Barty wins WTA Finals

November 03, 2019

IMAGE: Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after defeating Canada's Denis Shapovalov and winning the Paris Masters. Photograph: Christian Hartmann/Reuters

World number one Novak Djokovic saw off Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4 to win his fifth Paris Masters title on Sunday in a warning to his rivals ahead of the ATP Finals.

The Serbian faced only one break point in another impressive display to claim a 34th career Masters title against world number 28 Shapovalov, who was playing his first final at that level.

 

"I served very well, there were not many rallies in the match. A break in each set was enough, it was the best serving performance in this tournament," said Djokovic, who did not drop a set this week.

"It was his first Masters final so in a way experience prevailed."

Djokovic, who will be supplanted by Rafael Nadal at top of the ATP rankings on Monday, made a fine start, stealing Shapovalov's first service game as he opened a 3-0 lead.

The Serb was never threatened in the opening set, dropping only four points on serve as Shapovalov looked tight having not played on Saturday following Rafael Nadal's withdrawal.

Shapovalov faced a break point in the first game of the second set, saving it with a powerful first serve but a forehand error on Djokovic's second opportunity gave his opponent a decisive 4-3 lead.

Djokovic then held serve throughout to snatch a morale-boosting victory ahead of the Nov. 10-17 ATP Finals in London, where he will be looking to secure the year-end world number one spot.

Barty ends stellar season with WTA Finals win over Svitolina

IMAGE: Australia's Ashleigh Barty poses with a trophy as she celebrates beating Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the final of the WTA Finals in Shenzhen. Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters

Ashleigh Barty finished the season in style by beating defending champion Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-3 to add the WTA Finals title to her end-of-year world number one ranking on Sunday.

Barty, who became the first Australian to top the WTA rankings at the end of the year since they were introduced in 1975, capped a stellar season in Shenzhen having also won the French Open at Roland Garros in June.

Barty became the first Australian to win the WTA Finals since Evonne Goolagong Cawley claimed her second title in 1976.

"It's been the most incredible year for me," said Barty, who pocketed a record $4.42 million for her victory in Shenzhen, where the tournament was being held for the first time as part of a 10-year residency.

"It's been an incredible new era in women's tennis and to play in front of this spectacular crowd has been amazing."

There was little between the pair until the penultimate game of the first set when Barty fended off a break point before putting Svitolina's serve under pressure in the following game.

The Australian took the opener when she converted a break point at the third time of asking, punishing Svitolina's second serve with a firm forehand.

The tension increased in the second set as neither player was able to hold serve consistently.

Svitolina broke early to give herself a lifeline, only for Barty to win the next three games -- including two breaks of serve. Yet another slip-up on her own serve allowed Svitolina back into the set.

Barty broke yet again, however, claiming the eighth game of the set when she converted her third break point as Svitolina pulled a shot wide and secured her fourth title of the season with a hold to love in the next game.

Hungary's Timea Babos won the doubles title for the third year in a row, partnering with Kristina Mladenovic from France to see off Barbora Strycova and Hsieh Su-wei 6-1, 6-3 in the final.

"We played some great tennis," said Babos. "There was no-one out there on this tournament who could beat us. That's really amazing.

"Of course, to share it with Kiki, to play on the biggest stage with her, to get the title together, it's an incredible story.

"I'm just really, really happy to lift that trophy again."

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Recommended by Rediff.com

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email