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ATP Tokyo: Novak Djokovic sprints past Lucas Pouille in 50 minutes

World no. 1 Novak Djokovic has stayed on the title course on his debut in Tokyo, toppling Lucas Pouille 6-1, 6-2 in 50 minutes for the eighth semi-final of the season. Novak did lose serve once but that was hard to notice as he lost only nine points behind the initial shot, taking 60% of the return points to create six chances and converting five to find himself over the top in no time at all. The Serb finished the encounter with 22 winners and eight unforced errors, taming his shots nicely and drawing 17 unforced errors from the opponent who couldn't find the way to impose his strokes or to move Novak from the comfort zone, struggling on both serve and return to end his run in the quarters.

Djokovic held at love with an ace in the first game and grabbed a break at 15 in the next game following a loose volley from Pouille at the net. Novak confirmed the break with another solid hold in the third game, forcing an error from Lucas two games later to extend the lead and sealing the opening set with four winners at 5-1 after just 22 minutes. The Frenchman hit a double fault at the beginning of the second set to suffer another break, allowing Djokovic to cement the advantage with three winners in the next game and getting broken at love in game three thanks to another terrible backhand that pushed his rival closer to the finish line.

A forehand down the line winner from Novak brought game four to him before finally experiencing troubles on serve two games later, with Lucas pulling at least one break back with a forehand winner that reduced his deficit to 4-2. That gave him nothing as Novak grabbed another break a few minutes later, moving further ahead and crossing the finish line with three winners at 5-2, storming over his opponent and looking good to lift the first title in Tokyo and gain much-needed 500 points in the year-end no. 1 battle with Rafael Nadal. 

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