World’s number one, Novak Djokovic, lost in the Semifinals of the ATP Finals before the german Alexander Zverev (3), 7-6 (7/4), 4-6 and 6-3, this Saturday in Turin, saying goodbye to the possibility of winning a sixth title in the tournament and equaling Roger Federer’s record.
Zverev also eliminated Djokovic in the Semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics, in which he won the Gold medal. Winner of the ATP Finals in 2018, will look for his second win on Sunday before the winner of the last edition, the Russian Daniil Medvedev, number two in the world.
Minutes earlier, Zverev had been more solid than Djokovic in the important moments. After a great first set, with the two tennis players fighting each blow, the German was better in the ‘tie-break’, after Djokovic blew a set ball at 5-4.
Accusing the blow, the Serbian seemed below in the second, but he was able to achieve a break at 5-4 and tied the game. But even this time he had to suffer, needing five set balls to tie.
In the deciding set Zverev made the first break thanks to two unforced errors with Djokovic’s forehand, that he was no longer able to regain his disadvantage.
Zverev’s praise for Djokovic
The German praised his rival: “For me there is no one in the world who should be more respected than Novak. Where does he come from, what he has achieved … He is the best player of all time And I think people forget it sometimes. “
“It was a fantastic game, I think we have played five times this year and each time it was a great battle, playing for a long time, “said Zverev.
Medvedev, without suffering before Ruud
In the other Semifinal, Medvedev beat Norwegian Casper Ruud (# 8), 22-year-old debutant, surprise guest in the Semifinals, 6-4 and 6-2.
Against Ruud, the russian was never on the ropes. He did not concede a breaking ball and dictated the game with his great forehand shots, which made the Norwegian suffer on the ultra-fast surface of Turin, which opens as the headquarters of the Masters.
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