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Novak Djokovic claims record fourth-straight ATP tour title

Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses he winners trophy after he defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland in their singles final tennis match at the ATP World Tour Finals, in the O2 arena in London, Sunday Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses he winners trophy after he defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland in their singles final tennis match at the ATP World Tour Finals, in the O2 arena in London, Sunday Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

LONDON: Novak Djokovic capped off a phenomenal season Sunday night with a record fourth-straight ATP World Tour finals title.

"I couldn't ask for a better finish of the season," he said after the match. "I can't say I expected it, not at all... Managing to reach this kind of season and acheivement this year obviously gives me a lot of confidence for anything that is coming in the future."

Djokovic defeated Roger Federer, 6-3, 6-4, to claim the trophy. The match – a replay of last year's final here, from which Federer had to withdraw because of a back injury – started with Djokovic earning a break-point opportunity in the first game. Federer held him off, but not for long – Djokovic broke in the third game. He also held off both of the two break points he faced in the match.

The final result seemed inevitable once Djokovic took the first set, considering the Serb came in 76-2 this season in matches in which he'd done so.

The second set had its highlights, with Federer rallying from 0-40 to hold off a break at 4-4. For the most part, though, it was a series of unforced errors that cost the 17-time grand slam champion. The worst was his last, as Federer double-faulted on double-match point to give Djokovic the win.

The win is Djokovic's fifth in this tournament, including 2008 in Shanghai and the last three years in London. He has absolutely dominated this season, playing in the final of all but one tournament he entered while compiling an 82-6 overall record and claiming three grand slam titles. He's now even in career head-to-heads with Federer and Rafael Nadal, and clearing doesn't appear to be slowing down.

The performance has many starting to name him among the best in history.

"It does flatter me, inspire me," he said of the talk. "I'm convinced with this dedication to the sport, I can acheive more. How much, I don't know. I don't have a sense of urgency. I don't chase anything. I just try to be in the moment and see where it takes me."