Novak Djokovic once again hit the top gear when it mattered most to cruise into the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals in London.
In this winner takes it all game, the world number 1 was up against NextGen maestro Alexander Zverev. The match was a repeat of the 2018 finals, where Zverev had emerged victorious. Hence, the writings on the wall promised us a firecracker of a game and a firecracker it turned out to be. After more than 90 minutes of breathtaking tennis, Novak defeated Alexander Zverev 6-3,7-6.
Novak Djokovic thus has emerged runner up in the Tokyo 1970 group and will meet world number 3 Dominic Thiem in the semifinals.
Novak’s masterclass, Zverev’s endgame-
Djokovic made a fast start on Centre Court, as he covered the court well and capitalized on Zverev’s errors to earn a 3-0 lead. The Serbian served with accuracy to save two break points at 4-2 and closed the set two games later with a backhand winner down the line.
Both players were forced to save break points early in the second set before they raised their level on serve to reach a tie-break. Djokovic anticipated well and struck passing shots with accuracy to earn a crucial 6/4 lead. The Serbian extended his ATP Head2Head lead against Zverev to 4-2 with a powerful forehand down the line.
Also read: NextGen ascending-Mighty Medvedev breaks the Djoker juggernaut in ATP Finals
”I felt great. Early in the first set, he had a couple of breakpoint chances. I managed to serve well in the important moments and contrary to the last match against Daniil, I just managed to find the right shots at the right time,” said World number 1 after the impressive game.
Djokovic delivers 🙌@DjokerNole has made the #NittoATPFinals semis for a ninth time after defeating Zverev 6-3, 7-6! pic.twitter.com/DK8vEu4Ce3
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 20, 2020
The final standings for Group Tokyo 1970 are in! 🇯🇵#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/JPvoXikILl
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 20, 2020
The defeat also means that Zverev has played his last match of the season. Zverev had a mixed year and ended 2020 with a 28-11 win/loss record.
“It was a great year. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of big matches,” Zverev said. “I lost [in the] semi-finals in Australia, which I could have won. Lost the final of the US Open which I should have won, kind of. Finals in Bercy. This match here. So a lot of tough matches, a lot of tough moments, but a good year for me. A lot to build on for next year.”
In the other, practically inconsequential, match of the day,Daniil Medvedev defeated Diego Schwartzman 6-3,6-3 to carry momentum into his semifinal clash with Rafael Nadal.
The semi-finals are set!
🇦🇹 Thiem v Djokovic 🇷🇸
🇷🇺 Medvedev v Nadal 🇪🇸Who wins the #NittoATPFinals from here? pic.twitter.com/3kwExX2ZWP
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 20, 2020
A battle of generations in the semifinals-
As expected, the top 4 men of the world tennis have cruised into the semifinals of the ATP Finals in London, albeit with a few hiccups and not in the expected order. On one side is the raw energy of Medvedev and Thiem and on the other side are the legends, the very gods of the tennis world Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
And at the end is the trophy of ATP Finals 2020.
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