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The world's best players, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz met in the ATP Finals semi-final. Novak took down Carlos 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 28 minutes, moving into the title clash and delivering his third victory over the Spaniard.
Thus, Djokovic will compete in his ninth ATP Finals title match, becoming the third player to achieve that after Roger Federer and Ivan Lendl. Novak outplayed Carlos with his rock-solid returns, keeping the pressure on the other side and welcoming the young gun's mistakes.
Alcaraz served at 84% but drew nothing from that, getting broken three times and ending his journey in the semi-final. Novak denied two break points in the encounter's first game and two more in the second set, challenging his rival to follow those numbers to stay competitive.
Carlos served at 82% in the first set, but it was not enough to keep him safe after a reliable start.
Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in Turin.
Novak defended two break points early on and broke his rival once to clinch the set 6-3.
The young gun cracked a backhand down the line winner in the encounter's first game, creating two break chances. Djokovic denied them after the rival's mistakes and held with an ace down the T line, avoiding an early setback.
Alcaraz closed the second game with a forehand crosscourt winner before world no. 1 clinched the third game at 15 to remain in front. Carlos responded with a fine hold in the fourth game and reached two deuces on the return in the next one.
Novak hit a smash winner after the second deuce and closed the game with a service winner for 3-2. The young gun brought the sixth game home with an ace down the T line, and the veteran responded with another comfortable hold a few minutes later, moving 4-3 in front.
The pivotal moment came in the eighth game, with the Spaniard missing backhands and experiencing a break. Novak served for the opener at 5-3 and created three set points with a powerful backhand attack. Djokovic seized the first with an ace, wrapping up the opener in 40 minutes and gaining a massive boost ahead of set number two.
Both players served well at the start of the second set before Carlos experienced another setback. The Spaniard wasted game points at 1-1 and suffered a break, pushing the Serb closer to the top. Djokovic cemented the lead with a hold at 15 in game four and created another break chance in the next one.
Alcaraz denied it and brought the game home, remaining within one break deficit. Carlos stepped in on the return in the sixth game, landing a volley winner and generating two break points. Djokovic denied them with winners and fired two more to rattle off four points and open a 4-2 advantage.
Novak returned well in the seventh game, forcing Carlos' mistake at the net and earning two break points. The Spaniard saved them before missing a forehand on the third, pushing the Serb 5-2 in front. The defending champion served for the victory in game eight and held at 15 to emerge at the top and set Sunday's title clash against Jannik Sinner.