The potential gauntlet of the world No. 3, No. 2, and No. 1 standing between Novak Djokovic and his 25th Grand Slam title began with Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday. It continues with Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Friday.
While Alcaraz is Djokovic’s biggest rival at the moment, Zverev has been among Djokovic’s most familiar foes for almost a decade. The head-to-head series stands at 8-4 in favor of the Serb, including 5-1 on outdoor hard courts. However, they faced each other only once since 2021–when Djokovic prevailed 7-6(5), 7-5 in the 2023 Cincinnati semifinals. They have squared off three times at majors and the 37-year-old has won all three, including a 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(6) victory in the 2021 Aussie Open quarters.
Their past history clearly gives an edge to Djokovic, and so does current form. The world No. 7 underwhelmed against Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria in rounds one and two, respectively, but he raised his level in wins over Tomas Machec, Jiri Lehecka, and Alcaraz. Djokovic seemed to struggle with a groin injury during the first half of his match against Alcaraz but showed no signs of it the rest of the way en route to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 triumph.
Zverev kicked off his latest bid for an elusive major title with mostly routine defeats of Lucas Pouille, Pedro Martinez, Jake Fearnley, and Ugo Humbert. The second seed then ran into an in-form Tommy Paul on Tuesday afternoon and prevailed 7-6(1), 7-6(0), 2-6, 6-1. A much more aggressive Paul took it to a passive Zverev for three consecutive sets but failed to serve out each of the first two before the German dominated the ensuing tiebreakers. Zverev finally became the better player in the fourth, but overall it was not a convincing performance.
Even though Zverev may be the underdog, all the pressure is on him in his quest to win a Grand Slam. It does not help that he is facing an opponent who has owned him at slams and on outdoor hard courts. Moreover, Djokovic is 99-9 all time at Melbourne Park with 10 titles.
Unless Djokovic is compromised physically (and there is no reason to think he is following his win over Alcaraz), he should have the upper hand.
Pick: Djokovic in 4
WWW?
Djoko in four tight .
Amazing Nole, for once I didnt back him to win a Slam but now I do.
More feathers for Zverev…
Novak was never hurt. He likes to fake injuries all the time to throw off his opponents. Novak in 4
He’s really hurt this time just the adrenaline from the match and the pain medication helped. After the match he was feeling it a lot. I’m sure it’s bad today
he has plenty of time off
What drugs is Djok taking ?
official.
He faked the injury so he could lose the first set. OK
Fake news
look at the stats per set and it is clear he was injured. unless you are a casual tennis watcher, then nvm.
Zv is ready…in 3
Don’t give up
bold
Great call!
Novak is hurt Zverev in 4 maybe 3. Even if Novak wasn’t hurt Zverev in 4
Djokovic will beat Zevrev, even Carlos or Sinner is not as difficult as it really looks in the media, they both can defeat Djokovic but not always and, it won’t be a cakewalk, as we are made to think in the media. If Federer returns, they will say Federer has 60% chance of winning against Carlos or Sinner, when it comes to Djokovic it will be 6%
Time for ZV….he believes in himself…in 4.
you already picked Zverev in 3 lololol
Zverev overcame his weakness the serve… but Coco overcame hers the forehand/ serve but when push came to shove look what happened to her …
Coco’s serve is back to being in shambles
Thats what I meant, so much for the improvements …
You’d be surprised how many players simply can’t rally with 37 yr old Djokovic. It’s like watching B-grade tennis.
Alcaraz looked like he was hitting the ball in slow motion. No power whatsoever.
Serve was a joke
Groundstrokes had no power and we’re a joke.
Won the occasional point from a dropshot or from wrong-footing but never from power.
Mentally fragile. Djokovic made noises mid-point and Alcaraz nearly had two swings at the next shot.
It’s just not good enough.
I’m not sure Alcaraz thought about his advantages for a second during that match.
If someone tells you are young and will have a bright future, that’s all you’ll ever be to them.
Djokovic was telling Federer at the same age, I’m going to be number one and better than you.
Let that sink in.
Alcaraz just isnt as good on fast hard court , as he is on natural surfaces .
Even so ,Djokovic at his best is still the best hardcourt player ever.
Zverev in 4, maybe 5
Do you believe that?
Murray Karma bites back.. He did this injury drama in 2015 AO against Murray.. now the real injury
Djokovic is done winnings majors, I said it last year already.
Novak has done injury drama so many times that when he actually has an injury he gets no sympathy………..I mean he was playing so well against Zverev, that set could have gone either way, he showed no signs of injury, and after fluffing the overhead, which is usually an issue for him, he calls it quits!!! Everyone was surprised that he retired bcoz the level of play was so high!!!!! It’s just mind boggling and is these types of situations that cause one to have unfavorable feelings towards Novak.
Yep
Yep
I reckon it had something to do with that blue Joe’s Mechanics shirt he was wearing. Usually he would change his shirt after losing a set but he was loving that shirt so much he just couldn’t do it.
I can see that Fedal fans are still hurting that Nole left their favourites in the dust , literally so, undisputed GOAT, cope it, “have a gooood night”.
I’m a fedERER fan first and Djoko second and quite happy the way it turned out. For me, Fed is the best player ever on grass.
I don’t remember seeing any malicious comments about Nole written by you?
Probably misinterpreted the point of your post. I’m delighted Nole is on 24.
Blame my English.
Yeah quite a few comments here to say g0000dnight to…