Roger Federer insisted that the ghosts of his Wimbledon final defeat to Novak Djokovic, in which Federer lost two match points on his serve in the fifth set, never existed. But even if they did, they would be long gone by now.

Federer extinguished any bad Djokovic memories he might have held, even in the recesses of his brain, with a 6-4, 6-3 win against the World No. 2 on Thursday night at the Nitto ATP Finals. The 38-year-old Swiss ended a five-match losing streak against Djokovic and clinched his 16^th semi-final in 17 appearances at the season finale.

“[The ghosts] were never really there. There [were] some press guys that made that up. So from my standpoint, I also didn’t know I hadn’t beaten him in a few years, actually. Didn’t feel that way because it was so close in Paris [2018] and in Wimbledon against him,” Federer said.

“I felt like I was going to have my chance, to be quite honest… I’m just happy at the level I could play today, and obviously it’s always special beating Novak, even more so [because] of what happened. But I didn’t feel like I had to get rid of the ghosts or anything like that. I feel like I moved on pretty quickly after that.”

Federer improved to 53-9 on the season and earned his record-extending 59^th Nitto ATP Finals win. The Swiss will now go for a record-extending seventh title this weekend. On Saturday afternoon, Federer plays the winner of Group Andre Agassi, which will be determined on Friday.

“I have been playing very well this season, and I think this victory proves that today,” Federer said.

The win, Federer’s 23^rd against Djokovic (Djokovic leads 26-23) and first since the 2015 Nitto ATP Finals, was a team effort. Together, Federer and coaches Severin Luthi and Ivan Ljubicic, spent about 75 minutes discussing strategy ahead of the match. Federer needed only 73 minutes to execute the plan.

“There is a lot that goes into a match like this. I spoke at length to the team before, probably over an hour 15 about all the different possibilities, about what can happen. They told me what they think is going to happen. We shared those feelings. When you walk out, you just don’t know if any of it is going to work out or come the way it will,” Federer said.

“I felt from the get-go I had good rhythm off the baseline and on the serve and that I felt like he was living dangerously if he was not going to play great tennis. That was a good feeling to have, but then again, that doesn’t mean much because Novak has done an unbelievable job in his career to find ways to either make you play bad or to just be better on you on the day or squeeze another victory out like the way he did at Wimbledon.”

This time, however, Federer more than held on as a pro-Swiss crowd at The O2 showered him with chants of “Let’s go, Roger, let’s go!”

“I knew the beginning wasn’t key, but I knew it was important. I had a great run on the serve, as well, throughout I think that first set. I was able to keep the pressure going and mix up my game. Because he was playing incredibly aggressive at one point midway through the first set, which surprised me a little bit,” Federer said.

“Things just worked very well for me. Tonight was one of those nights where I was clear in the game plan. I got what I kind of expected, and it was a great feeling at the very end.”

After 49 FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings, Novak Djokovic knows what an outstanding performance from Roger Federer looks like.

Although Djokovic voiced displeasure with his play against Federer during Thursday’s defeat at the Nitto ATP Finals, he tipped his hat to the Swiss for producing a stunning performance. The Swiss finished the night with 23 winners to just five unforced errors and didn’t drop serve. Having saved two championship points in their clash at this year’s Wimbledon final, the capacity crowd at The O2 knew that Djokovic was capable of a Houdini act, but Federer was not to be denied.

The five-time champion at this event also expressed admiration for Federer delivering world-class tennis at age 38. Thirteen years after he beat the Serbian in their first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, he continues to find ways to take Djokovic out of his comfort zone.

“He was the better player in all aspects and absolutely deserved to win,” said Djokovic. “He served great, moved well, returned my serve very well. From his end, I think he did everything right. From my end, I was just playing too neutral. I couldn’t read his serve well. Just a pretty bad match from my side.

“[But] I have the utmost admiration for him and everything he’s doing on the court. What he has achieved over the years and what he’s still showing on the court is phenomenal. He’s a role model, even for me, and one of the toughest opponents I’ve had in my career. Looking at his career and what he’s still doing just inspires you.”

The loss was a double blow for Djokovic. Not only did it end his week at The O2, but it guaranteed that Rafael Nadal will finish as year-end No. 1 in the ATP Rankings. Djokovic was looking to finish as year-end No. 1 for a record-tying sixth time.

But the Serbian said it wasn’t the first, or likely the last, difficult moment in his storied career. After 16 years on the ATP Tour, he has learned to navigate the highs and lows that can occur in professional tennis and expected to bounce back quickly.

Read More: Nadal Clinches Year-End No. 1 Ranking

“I have lost so many matches in my life that I know how to move on. This is no different,” Djokovic said. “I’ve played Roger almost 50 times now. Played Rafael Nadal [54] times. Every loss is painful, but when you play your biggest rivals, that adds a little bit of an extra flavor to the win or the loss.

“At the end of the day, we’re professionals and I have been privileged to play this sport in the highest level for many years. I think that gives me experience on knowing how to accept things, move on and look for another opportunity.”

Although Djokovic gave full credit to Federer for the win, he admitted experiencing right elbow pain in the second set. The Serbian stretched out and rubbed his elbow in between points, but did not believe it was a reoccurrence of the injury that forced him to retire during this year’s US Open. Djokovic said he expects to still represent Serbia next week during the Davis Cup Finals in Madrid.

“I hope it’s nothing that will make me unable me to play [in] Madrid. The pain was pretty sharp,” Djokovic said. “But I could play the rest of the match. If I had something really serious, I think I wouldn’t be able to hold the racquet. So it was probably just an awkward, quick movement that I did. It did not pose any issues later on.”

The 49^th FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer has begun to a sold-out O2 arena in southeast London. The winner will make the Nitto ATP Finals semi-finals and finish in second place in Group Bjorn Borg, behind Austrian Dominic Thiem, who beat both of them earlier this week.

Djokovic leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 26-22 and has won three of their five Nitto ATP Finals matchups. The World No. 2 has also won nine of their past 11 meetings.

Federer last beat Djokovic in group play at the 2015 Nitto ATP Finals. The Swiss is trying to reach the last four in London for the 16^th time in his 17^th visit (all but 2008). Federer is 13-3 in his final group matches.

Djokovic is looking to reach the semi-finals in London for the seventh straight time and ninth overall in his 12^th appearance. He is 8-3 in his final group matches.

Two of the greatest of all time. Only one can qualify.

It’s all on the line for Federer & Djokovic ? #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/B5eJ8Y9a76

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2019

Matteo Berrettini may not have advanced out of Group Bjorn Borg, but he made history on Thursday at the Nitto ATP Finals. The Italian defeated Dominic Thiem 7-6(3), 6-3 and became the first Italian to win a singles match at the season-ending championships.

”I’m really proud of myself, but more for my team, my family, my friends. It’s been an unbelievable season,” Berrettini said. “I didn’t expect to be here at the beginning of the season. I hope to come back here next year.”

Berrettini finished with a 1-2 record this week. Thiem had already qualified for the semi-finals after his win on Tuesday against Novak Djokovic.

”I always had great fights against [Thiem]. I was able to stay mentally focussed, especially in the first set,” Berrettini said. “I played a great tie-break, so I’m very happy with my performance.”

Berrettini arrived in London at a career-high No. 8 in the ATP Rankings after starting the season outside of the Top 50. His highlights this year include ATP Tour titles in Budapest (d. Krajinovic) and Stuttgart (d. Auger-Aliassime), a maiden Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open and first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final in Shanghai.

He struck first in the opening set and ripped a forehand passing shot past Thiem for a 5-4 lead, but missed his chance to serve out the set and dumped a routine forehand volley into the net. The 23-year-old regrouped strongly by winning the first four points of the tie-break and pumped his first after an ace on set point.

That is a BEAUTY from Berrettini ?

Watch the #NittoATPFinals on @TennisTV ? pic.twitter.com/rOcJrhpWDT

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2019

The Italian maintained his momentum in the second set and broke Thiem with a forehand winner for a 4-2 lead. Three games later, a delicate drop shot from Berrettini wrapped up play after 76 minutes.

?? The first Italian ever to win a singles match at the #NittoATPFinals ??

What a way to end a breakthrough season for Matteo Berrettini!

?: @TennisTV | #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/M4po4wk1M3

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2019