World number one Novak Djokovic got off to a winning start at the ATP World Tour Finals with a straight sets demolition of Marin Cilic on Monday.
Djokovic sailed 6-1 6-1 past the Croat to improve to an 11-game winning streak at the season-ending tournament, which dates back to him winning the tournament in 2012, and make weight for his campaign for a third straight title and total fourth (2008, 2013 & 2014).
“Winning in straight sets helps a lot for the rest of the tournament,” said Djokovic, who is bidding for the year-end number one ranking. “But I’m going to try to win every match I play.”
Aside from a ten-point second game, which the Serb topped, the US Open champion rarely troubled the two-time defending champion.
At 2-0 in the second set, Djokovic dropped serve to love, but broke back to seal the contest in 56 minutes and join Stanislas Wawrinka at the top of Group A.
The win means the Wimbledon champion is unbeaten in 28 indoor matches and in 11 career matches against Cilic.