Djokovic beats Nadal for World Tour Finals title

LONDON, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Novak Djokovic defeated world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in straight sets Monday to defend his title at the ATP's World Tour Finals.

Djokovic, second in the world rankings, lost his serve once on the day and won 68 percent of the points when serving during his decisive 6-3, 6-4 win over Nadal. It extended his personal winning streak to 22 matches.

Djokovic jumped out to a 3-0 lead -- losing only four points in those games. Nadal evened the set in the fifth game but had a pair of double faults in the eighth game, including one that put Djokovic at breakpoint. Djokovic cashed it in with a forehand winner.

Djokovic blasted out to a 0-40 lead in the third game of the second set. While Nadal held two break points, he couldn't handle a third, sending a forehand long. Djokovic quickly consolidated the break by holding serve at love for a 3-1 lead.

Nadal made Djokovic work for the final game, however. Djokovic won the first two points, only to have Nadal tie the score. After they traded points to get to 40-40, Djokovic fired off his sixth ace of the day and Nadal sent a forehand wide to Djokovic's right to end the match.

It was the 39th time the two had met. Six of those matches came this year with each winning three times: Djokovic won the Monte Carlo Masters finals and the title match in Beijing before adding Monday's win in London; Nadal took title matches at the French Open and the U.S. Open and a semifinal win at the Masters tournament in Montreal. Nadal owns a 22-17 edge in the overall series.