ISLAMABAD: Novak Djokovic defeated FilipKrajinovicin the first round in Vienna to edge closer to Pete Sampras’s all-time record of ending the year as world number one on six occasions. Djokovic beat compatriot Krajinovic 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 and needs to win his next match in Austria against BornaCoric to ensure he equals the achievement of his childhood idol. The 33-year-old Serb has been the top-ranked player at the end of a season five times: in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018.
He shares that mark with career rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Sampras achieved the feat six years in succession between 1993 and 1998.
Djokovic was playing in Vienna for the first time since he won the title there in 2007, and dropped serve twice in a tricky opening set.
Krajinovic served for the first set at 5-4 and then held a set point in the tie-break but couldn’t take advantage.
A couple of breaks in the second set allowed Djokovic to clinch victory — his 38th in 40 matches this year.
