Novak Djokovic reached the semifinals early at the ATP Finals in Turin.
The five-time tournament winners also won their second group match with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Russia's Andrei Rublev and made it into the last four for the eleventh time.
Djokovic was there in the crucial phase of a tight first set.
He made almost inevitable mistakes and quickly pulled away 3-0 in the second round.
Rublew, who had defeated compatriot Daniil Medvedev in his first duel, then had no chance.
The day before, according to media reports, Djokovic had received the happy news that he could serve again at the Grand Slam in Melbourne.
As reported by the Guardian Australia and TV broadcaster ABC, among others, the Serbian tennis star received a visa despite his entry ban issued at the beginning of 2022.
Nothing would stand in the way of the hunt for his tenth title at the Australian Open (from January 16).