Novak Djokovic sent a message to Rafael Nadal and his rivals with a convincing victory over the World No 1 to retain his Barclays ATP World Tour Finals title.
After losing the US Open final to Nadal, Djokovic has won 22 straight matches and used the indoor conditions to his advantage to win 6-3 6-4.
The three-time defending Australian Open champion will now head into next year halfway to bettering his incredible 43-match unbeaten run in 2011.
Nadal was simply not managing to hit winners against his fellow defensive master but it was Djokovic’s attacking that forced the error from the Spaniard as he conceded another break in the third game of the second set.
Nadal’s fearsome forehand was letting him down as he tried to take the attack to Djokovic but he was having very little success on the Serbian’s serve.
Djokovic’s volleying was one of the most impressive parts of what in truth was not a great match and more excellent net play gave him two chances to lead 5-2, but this time Nadal was up to the challenge.
He then saved a match point with a fine backhand and kept Djokovic waiting for a bit longer when he won a lengthy rally to save a second, but on the third chance Nadal drove a forehand just wide.