2012 ATP TOUR FINALS: Djokovic Wins 2nd Crown

Defying my prediction and their previous career head-to-head record World #1 Novak Djokovic defeated World #2 Roger Federer 7-6(6) 7-5 to win  the 2012 ATP World Tour Finals in London. Djokovic came back from being down an early break in both sets and even saved 2 set points in the second set to win the set and thus the match.

Djokovic's 75th match win of the year (4 more than Federer) cemented his hold on the #1 spot and could propel him to a third consecutive year-end #1. It was his 6th ATP Tour title of the year, matching Federer's total, and 34th career title.  It was Djokovic's 2nd year-end championship, a title he had won before in 2008.

The Federer-Djokovic rivalry was ever present in 2012, where they played 5 times, with 3 being won by Djokovic. They split the finals 1-1 as well as the grand slam meetings. Djokovic's win raised his career head to head to 13 wins and 16 losses in the 29 times they have met so far, including 25 consecutive times in either finals or semifinals. It will be interesting to see if the 31-year-old Federer will still remain competitive with his 25-year-old rivals (Djokovic and Andy Murray) in 2013 and beyond.