Novak Djokovic thrashes Kei Nishikori to set up Andy Murray showdown

The Serb, who is targeting a record-equalling sixth triumph at the end-of-season tournament, easily booked his spot in Sunday's final as he produced one of his best displays in recent months to cruise to an irresistible 6-1 6-1 success.

It was his 10th victory on the trot against Nishikori and means the 12-time Grand Slam champion has lost just once in his last 23 matches at the O2 Arena.

Djokovic saw his 122-week spell at the top of the rankings come to an end a fortnight ago, but on this evidence he must be favourite to usurp Murray and end 2016 on top after the Scot endured a far tougher examination in an energy-sapping three-hour and 38 minute battle with Milos Raonic in the other semi final.

The Serbian appeared fresh and confident as he picked a jaded-looking Nishikori's game apart to move 4-0 up with a double break inside 20 minutes. The fifth seed had contributed to his own downfall with a flurry of early unforced errors, and although he punished Djokovic for some complacency with a break back, normal service was resumed as the world number two secured the next two games to take the opening set in just 35 minutes.

Djokovic was a man in a hurry and he immediately broke again at the start of the second set to kill off Nishikori's resistance in a six-game mid-match winning-streak that put him out of sight.

Incredibly the Japanese took 57 minutes to secure a service hold and he didn't last much longer than that as an inspired Djokovic waltzed to victory just nine minutes later.