ATP Finals: Novak Djokovic dismantles Alexander Zverev in London | Tennis News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

ATP Finals: Novak Djokovic dismantles Alexander Zverev in London

London | ByAFP
Nov 14, 2018 11:18 PM IST

Five-times champion Djokovic leads the Gustavo Kuerten group with two wins and is yet to drop a set.

World number one Novak Djokovic produced a rock-solid performance to dismantle the challenge of German firebrand Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals on Wednesday.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates beating Germany's Alexander Zverev during their mens singles round-robin match on day four of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena.(AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates beating Germany's Alexander Zverev during their mens singles round-robin match on day four of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena.(AFP)

The Serb, 10 years older than his opponent, was made to work hard in an absorbing first set but Zverev’s challenge crumbled at the O2 Arena as Djokovic won 6-4 6-1 to move within sight of the semi-finals.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Five-times champion Djokovic, who will end the year as world number one for the fifth time in his career after a storming second half of the season, leads the Gustavo Kuerten group with two wins and is yet to drop a set.

He will advance into the last four of the season-ending tournament for the eighth time if John Isner beats Marin Cilic in the evening session.

“I don’t think it was breathtaking tennis from both of us but a win is a win,” Djokovic, who hit only three winners in the first set compared to Zverev’s 15, said on court.

“I started to play better in the second set and he was making a lot of unforced errors, which helped me win.”

All seven round-robin matches played so far this week have been won in straight sets, but for a while it appeared as though the crowd would be given full value for their ticket.

The 21-year-old Zverev, who has a Tour-leading 55 match wins this year, went toe-to-toe with Djokovic from the baseline and looked to have the firepower to worry his opponent.

Djokovic netted a routine forehand when serving at 4-4 30-30, offering Zverev a break point that he did not convert.

Djokovic then double-faulted to give Zverev another chance to serve for the set but this time the German went just wide with an attempted lob after the Serb ventured into the net.

The net game always looked dangerous for Zverev and so it proved as he double-faulted to concede the set.

Zverev looked deflated and despite holding serve for 1-1 he offered no more resistance as Djokovic won five games in a row to seal his 33rd win in his last 35 matches.

His final group match is against Cilic while Zverev will hope to bounce back against Isner.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On