Novak Djokovic - that's why he dominates in the tie breaks
If you make it into a tie-break against Novak Djokovic , you can basically check the sentence off. Because in the quick decision, the first in the world rankings can usually still move up a gear.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Mar 10, 2020, 07:49 am
Dominic Thiem is lucky to be the last man to win a tie-break against Novak Djokovic. Not an exceptional achievement? Oh but! Because the Serbian industry leader, with the exception of the faux pas against Thiem in the decisive set of the group game at the ATP Finals in London, won all the other 17 most recent tie breaks. And by the way, the last 18 individual matches.
The tie-break series stretches back longer (and would almost have come to an end against Gael Monfils in Dubai - the Frenchman would have used one of his three match balls at a score of 6-3 in the quick decision of the second set). No, the scary series started in the Wimbledon final in 2019 when Djokovic set one, three and five against Roger Federer in the tiebreak. The last one according to the type of landlord in Champions format.
Djokovic makes no mistakes in tiebreaks
Statistics guru Craig O'Shaugnessy has summarized why this is so for the ATP: In that epic Wimbledon final, a total of 33 points were played in three tie breaks. Federer made 19 avoidable mistakes (except returns), Djokovic, however, made a single one, at 5: 1 in the tie break of the second set.
Djokovic mostly acted from the baseline, didn't take any exaggerated risk, but still dictated the points. A quick decision is also about not giving anything away. And to give your opponent the unpleasant feeling of always having to play that one more ball. And when it comes to the defensive qualities of a Novak Djokovic, this one more ball must be of special brilliance to get to the point.
Federer did not manage that in the decisive phases at Wimbledon. The Swiss made only two advances during the 33 points, making just one point. 20 rallies were made from the baseline, Djokovic won 16 of them. And could once again rely on the fact that he was the one who did not give up points lightly. Dominic Thiem solved the situation in London better in 2019 - the Austrian hammered Djokovic more than 50 direct points into the field. Also and especially in the tie break from set three.