ATP Finals: Alexander Zverev – defeat against the all-around winner

Despite his defeat against industry leader Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev still has a good chance of reaching the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in London.

Alexander Zverev gave his best for a long time, he started well against Novak Djokovic. He was wide awake, he played powerful, aggressive, with courage and courage. But there was one thing he failed to achieve in his second group game in the O2 Arena, in the ATP finals, the final tournament of the eight best players of the season: To prevent Djokovic from winning the tournament, the victory of the almost untouchable player of the tennis scene.

Zverev kept up for one set, but after not taking advantage of the first tempting break chances against the world number one, he went downhill. Unstoppable, with no chance of a comeback, until that moment when his 4:6, 1:6 defeat against the 31-year-old Capitano of the industry was decided. Djokovic had won because at the moment he succeeds against almost every opponent in every game: To wear down the man on the other side of the net with his irresistible art of defence and to frustrate him permanently.

“He is practically not out of order and bring balance,” said Zverev later in a TV interview, “I can still get to the semifinals. I hope it works out for me.” Now the starting position for the 21-year-old from Hamburg has, so to speak, a recognition effect, because like at his world championship premiere last year, his sporting fate will be decided against an American rival in the last group match. In 2017, Zverev bitterly failed against Jack Sock, the surprise man of the industry at the time, in the final duel of the preliminary round.

Now he has to play against John Isner, the 2.07-meter giant, on Friday on the Centre Court, in a match with a very special mark. Because Isner, the giant, is Zverev’s best friend on the tennis tour. Even before the tournament’s first rally, Zverev had said that he wished Isner a win against any opponent in the world at any time, “but not against myself.” Anyway, as always at this championship, the whole thing becomes a game of arithmetic with many opportunities to qualify for the semi-finals – or even to fail.

It also remains to be seen how the group game between Isner and the Croat Marin Cilic will end – the game was only finished after the editorial deadline of this issue. In any case, Zverev will have to be cooler and more determined in taking advantage of the few opportunities that are available to him in matches at this level and especially in this tournament. The disappointment about the two breakballs in the first set with a 4:4 tie followed the German up to the last point against Djokovic. Almost typical: Shortly after the even missed leading chances Djokovic struck at the first opportunity and secured the first set with 6:4.

Zverev began to quarrel and lament a little later, also scolding his coach’s crew in self-conversations – while Djokovic continued to expand his lead in peace of mind and thus came to his second group win. He reaffirmed why he is considered the favourite for this last title of the year, the biggest title to be distributed outside the Grand Slams. “It wasn’t an outstanding or breathtaking match now,” Djokovic said after the success, “but a victory is a victory. I thought it would be harder for me.”