Only one can make it to the semi-finals

Getting into the semi-finals or the last game of the year? For Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic, a lot is at stake on Friday.

Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic have had a difficult year. Both tennis professionals were criticized for their participation in the Adria Tour organized by Djokovic in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, during which Djokovic also tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The 33-year-old was then also disqualified at the US Open because he accidentally shot a line judge with a ball in frustration.

Zverev has been grappling with negative headlines about his private life for weeks after his former girlfriend Olga Sharipova made serious allegations of domestic violence against him.

In London, at least one of them can now write positive headlines again at the end of the year. The winner of the duel on Friday (3:00 p.m. / live on SRF 2) reaches the semifinals at the ATP Finals, for the loser the tournament and season are over. “I’ll need a perfect match to win against him,” says Zverev, who won the unofficial World Tennis Championships in 2018 in the final against Djokovic.

The two have faced each other five times so far – the balance before the group final in the O2 Arena is 3: 2 for the Serbs. In all five duels, the winner won without losing a set. «There were never close matches between us. The start is therefore extremely important, ”said Zverev.

After the clear opening defeat against the Russian Daniil Medwedew, Zverev increased in the second group game in the three-set win against Diego Schwartzman. Against Djokovic a further increase has to follow, “otherwise the tournament is over for me”, the 23-year-old says.

With a win, Zverev would also bring his opponent a bitter disappointment. Finally, Djokovic could catch up with Roger Federer, who has won six times so far, with a triumph at the unofficial tennis world championship.

The Serb received his fourth defeat this year against Medvedev and lost something of his nimbus in London. The world number 1 is certainly not allowed to be copied. In the face of resistance, he usually grows beyond himself. So the polemics surrounding his role in the players’ council shouldn’t concern him much.