ATP Finals 2020: Novak Djokovic beats Alexander Zverev and fixes a semi-final duel with Dominic Thiem
Novak Djokovic has secured the last ticket for the semi-finals of the ATP Finals. The world number one beatAlexander Zverev in a direct duel for the round of the last four with 6: 3 and 7: 6 (4). ( You can read the match here in the live ticker ). In the semifinals, Djokovic will meet Dominic Thiem on Saturday.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Nov 20, 2020, 04:49 pm
Alexander Zverev had imagined the start of the all-important group game differently: The German had to surrender the first seven points, with a double mistake he gave Novak Djokovic the first break seconds later. The world number one quickly took the lead 3-0.
At the score of 4: 2, Zverev found two break chances, but the Serb was able to fend them off with two good serves - a little later Djokovic had bagged the first set 6: 3 after 33 minutes.
What had already emerged towards the end of the opening act should also continue in round two: Zverev was now the better player in the London O2 Arena, but the world number seven could not make a profit from it initially. When the score was 2-1, the 23-year-old left a breakball with a reckless backhand error.
A balanced second set goes to Djokovic
Djokovic almost knew how to punish this in the next game, but Zverev freed himself with four strong points in a row and after defending against two break opportunities still made it 3-2. Up to 6: 6, both players played their service games quite confidently, only Djokovic had to go over the debut at 4: 5.
So a tiebreaker had to bring the decision: In this, Zverev quickly took the lead 2-0, but Djokovic fought his way back just as quickly. At 3: 3 the sides were switched, the next two points went to the Serbs. That was enough for the industry leader to fix the 6: 3 and 7: 6 (4) victory after 1:37 hours.
In the semifinals, Novak Djokovic will meet the Austrian Dominic Thiem on Saturday. The second semifinals will be played by Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal.
You can read the match between Djokovic and Zverev here in the live ticker
ATP Finals 2020 London: All information, TV, draw, prize money
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