Rafael Nadal‘s quest to win the most significant title missing from his illustrious collection got off to a flying start with victory over Andrey Rublev.
The 20-time Grand slam champion Nadal won 6-3 6-4 as the season-ending event began in London for the final time.
Nadal ranked second-best player in the world dispatched Russian debutant Andrey Rublev in straight sets 6-3 6-4 as the season-ending finale served off at the O2 Arena in London for the final time.
Earlier in the day, Austrian third seed Dominic Thiem avenged last year’s final defeat after beating Greek challenger Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-3 at an empty O2 Arena.
It was the perfect start for Nadal as a straight-set victory took him above Thiem at the top of Group London 2020 after opening day games.
“I am very pleased with the victory, it changes the perspective of the tournament a little bit,” said Nadal after defeating the game’s most in-form player so far this year.
“I know I have a super difficult match against Dominic but a win in two sets helps for the confidence,” he added.
Russian eighth seed Rublev struggled to contain Nadal’s serves in the opening set and was made to pay when the left-handed Spaniard earned the decisive break to open a 4-2 lead.
Rublev smashed his racquet against the court in frustration as more disappointment came his way when Nadal broke him in the first game of the second set.
“When he broke me in the second set I started to relax but by then it was too late,” said the 23-year-old Russian.
Nadal went on to wrap up a straight-set victory without even facing a breakpoint.
“My serve worked really well, that always helps on this surface and I had a few chances on the return, which I converted,” added Nadal, who lost in the 2010 and 2013 finals of the tournament.
Meanwhile, World number one Novak Djokovic, drawn in Group Tokyo 1970, starts his campaign for a record-equalling sixth title on Monday afternoon.
Djokovic was presented with a trophy before the opening games to mark his achievement of finishing the season in pole position on the ATP Rankings table.
The Serb broke a record set by American great Pete Sampras after finishing the season as the top-ranked player for the sixth time.
“It is very fulfilling and I am proud. I am overwhelmed with happy emotions,” said Djokovic on matching the feat of his childhood idol.
Watch the highlights of the games below
Djokovic goes into the ATP Finals on the back of only three losses out of 42 matches all year, with his most memorable victory of the year coming at the Australian Open where he wrapped up his 17th Grand Slam title by emerging champion.
Congratulations
Nadal. Such a legend
Wagbayi