Djokovic thrashes Goffin, picks row with umpire

TIL Desk Sports/ Defending champion Novak Djokovic trounced stand-in David Goffin 6-1 6-2 for a clean sweep of his group at the ATP World Tour Finals on Thursday but spiced up a leisurely afternoon workout by picking a row with the umpire.

The world number two, who will be joined in the last four by Milos Raonic after the Canadian beat Austrian Dominic Thiem 7-6(5) 6-3, began the week at London’s O2 Arena quarrelling with a reporter and despite being relatively untroubled on court, there has been an edginess about the 12-times grand slam champion.

It surfaced again against Goffin, who pocketed $179,000 for his 69-minute cameo appearance having stepped in to replace Gael Monfils who withdrew citing a rib injury. While serving at 3-1 the Serb was given a time violation warning by chair umpire Fergus Murphy and let rip at the changeover.

“You have no clue about the game,” an irate Djokovic told Murphy before turning to continue the debate with tournament director Tom Barnes who was hovering nearby.