The best German tennis player has a thrilling fight with the world number one. After difficulties at the beginning, there is no happy ending.
Alexander Zverev was eliminated in the group stage of the ATP Finals. Germany’s best tennis player lost on Friday after a false start against world number one Novak Djokovic from Serbia 3: 6, 6: 7 (4: 7) and thus missed the semi-finals in London.
With his second defeat in the third game, the tennis season for Zverev is over. In 2018, the Hamburger won the unofficial World Cup. In the semifinals on Saturday, Djokovic will now face the Austrian US Open winner Dominic Thiem. In addition, the Spanish world number two Rafael Nadal is fighting against the Russian Daniil Medvedev for a place in the final.
The match for reading in the ticker:
3: 6, 6: 7 (4: 7): Novak Djokovic is in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals, Alexander Zverev missed his third participation in the last four in a row. In the early stages in particular, the man from Hamburg had major problems and at times completely lost touch with the Serbs. After that, the best German tennis player found his way into the match better and better and made the game more balanced. With a little luck, Zverev could have won the 2nd set, but in the end Djokovic did not win through undeservedly. Nevertheless: A satisfactory conclusion to these ATP Finals for Zverev, who can look back on a strong 2020.
Tie-Break 4:7: And that’s exactly what happens.
Tie-Break 4:6: Now Djokovic has it in hand. He has match point.
Tie-Break 4:5: Zverev shortened again.
Tie-Break 3:5: Was that the decisive pass? Djokovic is about to win the match.
Tie-Break 3:4: And turns the score.
Tie-Break 3:3: Djokovic can do that too.
Tie-Break 3:2: … but immediately adds a service winner.
Tie-Break 2:2: Zverev simply cannot allow himself to do that against Djokovic. He hits a backhand out …
Tie-Break 2:1: Djokovic stays tuned
Tie-Break 2:0: Zverev – the Mini-Break!
Tie-Break 1:0: Zverev presents
2nd movement, 3: 6, 6: 6: Is THAT bitter for Zverev! Djokovic now has to constantly go over the second serve, which actually offers the German opportunities – but not if he then relocates a backhand on the net. It goes into the tie-break!
2nd movement, 3: 6, 6: 5: Important sign from Zverev! He gets through his service game to zero! And now has another chance to win the set.
2nd movement, 3: 6, 5: 5: Djokovic served against the loss of a set, made it quickly and equalized to 5: 5 – at least that’s how he would have liked it. But after 3:40 p.m. Zverev fights back, also because Djokovic hits the backhand twice. But then again bad luck for the hamburger on the edge of the net. Too bad.
Has to fight his way into the match: Alexander Zverev. (Source: Reuters)
2nd movement, 3: 6, 5: 4: Strong from Zverev! Two aces, then he dares to go back to the net at the end and makes the point against a hard-pressed Djokovic. Even if he often has to fight: Zverev feels increasingly comfortable in the match. But now he has to win the second set.
2nd movement, 3: 6, 4: 4: In the winner statistics, Zverev leads with 28:12 – that’s clear. And the longline strokes sit again and again. He manages to put pressure on Djokovic to force the pace on. The Serb has more and more problems with his own serve. In the end, however, he manages his service game.
2nd movement, 3: 6, 4: 3: That’s impossible! The next double mistake from Zverev, this is already the sixth. He is lucky that he still gets through his service game – also because he is more offensive and appears on the net more often. He saves himself with an ace.
2nd movement, 3: 6, 3: 3: First the forehand inside-out, then a strong return that Djokovic can no longer bring back. Zverev keeps up better and better, but always has bad luck in the little things – like now with the forehand, which jumps from the net edge at 30:40. Here, too, there seemed to be more.
2nd movement, 3: 6, 3: 2 Double fault four and five from Zverev, then he completely misplaces a ball, and it is already 15:40. He fights his way back to 40:40 via serve-and-volley and yells courage to himself. Djokovic also looks dissatisfied with his game – also because of the breakballs given. In the end, Zverev made the point with a strong forehand. It is important that he managed to do it despite the mistakes at the beginning.
2nd movement, 3: 6, 2: 2: Well played by Zverev! Only a stop at exactly the right moment, which Djokovic can no longer reach – he would never have dared to do that at the bumpy start of the game. Then a strong backhand – followed by a forehand error without need, with which he brings Djokovic back. But the Serb is also making it increasingly difficult for himself: a double mistake – and Zverev has the chance to break. But then stands too far behind the line and forgives. Now he tries it on the net – but is then surprised by a backhand cross. It is now always about a tie. Zverev is increasingly complaining, discussing with the referee. Then he beats a backhand and conceded the 2: 2 in the longest rally to date. Not necessary from the German point of view.
2nd movement, 3: 6, 2: 1: Now Djokovic is struggling after he hits a forehand into the net. This “Djoker” seems increasingly vulnerable. And Zverev uses that, moves up well with its own serve, goes online and makes the point. An ace behind.
2nd movement, 3: 6, 1: 1: Directly the counter-signal from Djokovic, who also brings his own service game through soberly – at least that’s how it looks at the beginning. But at 40:15 the world number one suddenly makes a double mistake, seems to wobble again – but then the first serve is back.
2nd set, 3: 6, 1: 0: And that’s a start that Zverev would like: He gets through his service game quickly – if you ignore the next double fault. Does that give him even more security?
Summary 1st sentence: The weak start cost Zverev a shorter first set. After less than a quarter of an hour he was already 0: 3 against a Djokovic who was unleashed behind. But then he found his way into the game better, got stronger especially in the longer rallies, often won them. In the end, the Serb won the passage sovereign – but looks vulnerable.
1st movement, 3: 6: Zverev needs the break to keep going. And indeed: with the “Djoker” not everything is going as perfectly as it was at the beginning of the game. Zverev is now able to counter this, especially in the longer rallies. Djokovic also has to get over the second serve more often – but he succeeds here. Strongly opened the game, then a forehand to 40:30 and a backhand to win the set.
1st movement, 3: 5: Zverev serves against the loss of a set – and hits a simple forehand into the net. That just can’t happen to him. In addition: Djokovic currently brings back 92 percent of the returns, Zverev only 58 percent. With his now more stable serves and two aces in a row, the hamburger holds himself in the first set.
Novak Djokovic in the match against Alexander Zverev. (Source: Reuters)
1st movement, 2: 5: And then suddenly Djokovic makes mistakes without need. A stop ball is way too long for the Serb, in the end Zverev benefits at 30:15, adds a forehand to 40:15 and is suddenly close to his own break. But then Djokovic comes back, is lucky with a serve that is still three millimeters on the line, and in the end secures the point. Bitter for Zverev.
1st movement, 2: 4: Already the first signs of frustration at Zverev. He grumbles, quarrels with the referee. It’s not running at all at the moment – also because Djokovic starts extremely strong. After all: two backhand winners, an ace behind, with a forehand longline he makes the point.
1st movement, 1: 4: Strong rally, in which Djokovic comes to the net, attacks, Zverev is in defense, but still makes the point at 15:15. But then he hits a backhand out of bounds, Djokovic adds a strong serve and confidently secures the point.
1st movement, 1: 3: This is so important for Zverev! He brings his service game through to zero. It works. First little exclamation mark he has to pull himself up on.
1st movement, 0: 3: And then suddenly Djokovic also makes a double mistake. Nevertheless: The world number one clearly determines the initial phase, appears present, concentrated, focused, more assertive in his actions. He’s currently doing it very quickly against Zverev. With a strong stop, he is 3-0 ahead after just nine minutes. Bitter for Zverev: He only made two of the first 14 points.
1st movement, 0: 2: Zverev starts shakily into the first service game. He hits a backhand out of bounds, ventures into the net in the next game and puts the ball next to it. Then there is a mad passing cross from Djokovic, and Zverev is already playing against the break. Then he is lucky that a Djokovic ball ends up just outside the box – and then the first double mistake comes. Directly the break for the Serb.
1st movement, 0: 1: Djokovic wins the first rally, adds an ace to 30-0, and Zverev only returns the Serbian’s next serve into the net. Next ace from “Djoker” to win points.
1st movement, 0: 0: It starts! Djokovic serves!
Before the match: Both players have entered the court and are practicing. Zverev wins the election and decides on setback in the first game.
Before the match: Djokovic is already preparing …
The Serb could not fully convince in his previous two matches. Is it still enough today against Germany’s best tennis player?
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