ATP finals: Duel against Dominator Djokovic: The big show awaits Zverev

Alexander Zverev wants more show elements in tennis. Against Novak Djokovic, however, he will have to make his own spectacle in London in order to qualify for the semi-finals early.

Alexander Zverev loves the noise in London. When the spectators push the “fan meter” up, the bass rumbles at the side changes and aces hiss, it is in its element. “I don’t mind that at all, I like that kind of thing,” said Zverev. “I think more tournaments should offer something away from tennis.”

The atmosphere in the gigantic o2-Arena gives Zverev the energy he urgently needs in his second group match on Wednesday (15.00 CET/Sky). After the hard-won opening victory against Marin Cilic from Croatia (7:6, 7:6), Novak Djokovic, the undisputed top favourite of the season finale, is waiting.

The world number one from Serbia, who dominated the second half of the year almost at will not only at the Grand Slams in Wimbledon and New York, also proved his current exceptional position in London. Djokovic easily robbed the service giant John Isner (USA) of his strongest weapon at 6:4, 6:3, his self-confidence could hardly be greater before the duel with Zverev.

“I’m not too exhausted. I feel fit, physically and mentally,” said Djokovic. For Zverev, however, the last week of the year is a challenge in every respect, he played his 73rd match of the season against Cilic (55 wins, 18 defeats). But after a weak start, he underlined what he had announced before the tournament: “I am ready to push my limits”.

In order to defeat Djokovic in his current form, however, he must not only sound out his own limits, but also shift them. Exactly one month ago, in the semi-final of the Shanghai Masters, he had not succeeded in doing so, when he was given a lesson at 2:6, 1:6. In London, however, Djokovic expects another opponent. “He wasn’t at his top level in Shanghai,” said the 31-year-old. “It could be a great match.”

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After all, Zverev knows the feeling of defeating Djokovic. He won his first big title in 2017 in Rome with a final victory over the Serb, who was plagued by self-doubt and elbow problems. The crisis of meaning and injury are over, the sixth title in the final tournament of the season’s best, with which he would equal Roger Federer’s best mark, in sight. Djokovic doesn’t want to be satisfied with less.

For 21-year-old Zverev, by far the youngest player in London, however, his entry into the knockout round would already be a success. His 2017 debut, a win in the group stage was not enough for the semi-finals, but this time he has two chances to progress. Even if he lost to Djokovic on Friday, Zverev would still have it in his hands against Isner.

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At the latest then he has got used to the blue underground in the huge arena. He is still a little alienated with the in his opinion “very fast” court. “The place is pretty weird. It’s very different from other tournaments,” said Zverev. As well as the atmosphere in the 17,800-seat hall. But she loves Zverev, she should wear him to the surprise against Djokovic.