The Serbian Novak Djokovic did it. He is already looking into the eyes of the Swiss Roger Federer with six Masters Cups after defeating the Norwegian Casper Ruud in two sets, 7-5 and 6-3, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, after a match that places him in the privileged position of Master of Masters, which redeems him from a season marked by controversy and with which he has bagged the largest financial prize in the history of tennis.
But ‘Nole’ was very much ‘Nole’. Plugged in, fast, accurate and eagerly, the Serbian took a very even first set and in which Ruud gave in, again, to a great. He was able to take the lead very early, in the second game, but he missed his double break opportunity and kept the equalizer. They went back to have another ‘break’ to go 5-3 up, but Ruud withstood the onslaught, clenching his fist when he held the serve, releasing some tension.
But the third time was the charm. There were too many concessions before a titan who this time attacked the ball and won the first set (7-5).
An hour and thirty-two minutes after he launched this final of finals, ‘Nole’ signed a direct kick -the ninth of his account- that made him champion of champions, the oldest in history to achieve it, Master of Masters with Federer, automatically placing himself at the top of this prestigious tournament that continues to resist Nadal, the only great that he does not have in his showcase.
Santiago de la Peña
