Novak Djokovic crushes Kei Nishikori in first match at finals

With his second three-Slam year (the other in 2011), Djokovic joins Federer as the only men in the Open era to win that many Slams in a year on more than one occasion (remarkably Federer accomplished this feat three times, in 2004, 2006 and 2007).

Given his dominance for the past 12 months, it seems like a rhetorical question.

Federer, who withdrew before the final a year ago with a back injury, said: “It is never fun being on the non-winning side”. He earned $21.6 million on the court this year.

“I can’t predict the future”, Djokovic said. The Serb broke in the third game, resisted the Swiss and his passionate support in a long sixth game, and by the time he led 5-3, had struck four aces to none by his opponent. And yet, had it not been for Djokovic, he could have had an historic year. Had it not been for the finals loss to Stan Wawrinka at Roland Garros that denied Djokovic a career grand slam – and, in retrospect, the calendar-year variety as well – perfection would have been unqualified.

The year 2014 saw Federer win five and lose in six finals. The second seeds, who had beaten top-ranked American duo Bob and Mike Bryan in the semi-finals, needed just one break to take the first set and then coasted to victory with two breaks in the second set.

The encounter lasted little over an hour. There was much chatter of Rafael Nadal’s late-season surge.

Djokovic appeared to waste a big chance to clinch the win when Federer fought back from 0-40 to hold his serve in the eight game, but the defiant response simply delayed the inevitable.

Federer and Nole have combined to win each of the past five ATP World Tour Finals, with Djokovic taking the past three.

Djokovic is “almost unbeatable” at the moment, according to Nadal.

After both players squandered a break point in the first two games, Djokovic started to click into rhythm in the third game.

“It’s the best season of my life”. That’s the most points ever accumulated and the gap between first and second is a big as it has ever been. But perhaps his serving was the most effective element of the game: he made 16 of 19 second serves. The only one where he didn’t?

Federer believes it will be tough for Djokovic to replicate his sensational form next year, and claims only minor changes could have a huge impact. “If you don’t get enough on the ball, then Novak is going to run everything down and eventually he’s going to make you move and outplay you”, Krajicek said. He’s certainly done that. He’s very complete player.

Yet, when the moment demanded, Djokovic found the magic. Even Federer in his glory days always had Nadal as his clay court Kryptonite. He could not have played much better and his clinical dispatching of the world’s top players has been staggering to watch.

It was his fourth successive victory at the end-of-season showcase and a new record for the ATP Tour.

The challenge would be to sustain the brilliance for a few more seasons. The youngest competitor was Kei Nishikori at 25. He reached 15 Finals, won 11 Titles – 3 Slams, 6 Masters 1000. Tennis needs its young guns – among them Nick Kyrgios, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem – all brimming with talent, to develop at breakneck speed.

Playing at the peak of his powers, Djokovic struck cleanly delivering a commanding curtain call to an absurdly successful season.