Alexander Zverev ended Novak Djokovic’s hopes for the calendar-year Golden Slam.
No matter for the world No. 1; he still has a chance to complete the calendar-year Grand Slam. But now it is once again Zverev who stands in the way of history.
Djokovic and Zverev will face each other for the second time this summer, the fourth time in 2021, and the 10th time overall when they clash in the U.S. Open semifinals on Friday. The head-to-head series stands at 6-3 in favor of the Serb, who prevailed 6-7(3), 6-2, 7-5 at the ATP Cup and 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(6) in the Australian Open quarters before falling to the German 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the semis of the Tokyo Olympics.
As those scorelines suggest, winning the first set hasn’t been necessary in their matchups. And it certainly hasn’t been a requirement for Djokovic throughout this U.S. Open. In fact, the 34-year-old has dropped the opening set in three of five matches and he has won in straight sets just a single time. Nonetheless, Djokovic has still battled past Holger Rune, Tallon Griekspoor, Kei Nishikori, Jenson Brooksby, and Matteo Berrettini without getting pushed to five at any point.
Zverev was in even more dominant form en route to the semis. The 2020 U.S. Open runner-up surrendered only one set in total while storming past Sam Querrey, Albert Ramos-Vinolas, Jack Sock, Jannik Sinner, and Lloyd Harris. Zverev has won 16 matches in a row, a stretch that is also highlighted by Olympic gold and the Cincinnati title.
Still, the world No. 4’s last three performances were not overly convincing. Sock took a set and both Sinner and Harris had plenty of chances to do the same. Zverev will have to be better on Friday.
“You have to be perfect (against Djokovic),” the 24-year-old assured, “otherwise you will not win. Most of the time you can’t be perfect; that’s why most of the time people lose to him. Against him, you have to win the match yourself. You have to be the one that is dominating the points. You have to do it with very little unforced errors.
“He is the best player in the world. He is very difficult to beat.”
Djokovic is especially difficult to beat in best-of-five situations, and it has become an even tougher test now that the 20-time major champion’s motivation level is at an all-time high as history looms.
“Of course I’m aware of the history,” he said. “Of course it gives me motivation. I’m in a position that is very unique; I’m very grateful for that. I’m inspired to play my best tennis.
“I think the experience of being on the big stage so many times does help. Physically I feel as fit as anybody out there, so I can go the distance. Actually I like to go the distance. The longer the match goes, I feel like I don’t have any issues. I think I have a better chance than any other opponent. Of course I want to start off well and win in straight sets; don’t get me wrong. But sometimes it happens that you go through ups and downs during the match, particularly when you play against the best players in the world in the latter stages of Grand Slams.
“I’m going to be ready to go five sets, five hours, whatever it takes. That’s why I’m here.”
Chances are good that Djokovic will still be here–and history will still be in play–on championship Sunday.
Pick: Djokovic in 4
zverev will shock the world again!
Then Medvedev will win the title, probably, unless FAA can knock Meddy out. It’s hard to think about Novak losing to Zverev but it does feel likely when I think about how Zverev got the gold in Tokyo and how well he has played since then. The gold medal has given him the boost in confidence he needed.
Haha rc stop anti jinxing 🙂 u have been doing so since before the French rem our convo after Belgrade open when u said novak did not look great n I said novak made open his intent of winning RG
He has this ..he is destined .I don’t want it being a rafan..but he is getting this ..he was great final 3 sets today n that is enough to beat anyone
Ricky needs this after all the predictions he’s got wrong. It’s an all or nothing roll of the dice. He can’t go any worse.
I think Zverev and Medvedev will throw the kitchen sink at Djokovic. There will be no rolling over this time.
They can throw the whole house..kitchen sink with utensils. But djoko is destined I think .he won’t let it pass
Zverev is now 24 and Medvedev is 25. Good luck is all I can say. Both have only dropped 1 set so far.
‘The longer the match goes, I feel like I don’t have any issues. I think I have a better chance than any other opponent.’
Careful, that may turn against you.
What’s amazing is that a 34 year old is saying that.
Really like Zv, but Joker winning the GS would be good overall for the game of tennis….I think! Joker in 4.
Why will it be good ? I don’t understand this view ..why is it good to see one man winning everything
+1
+ 2
In fact wouldn’t it be fitting if all 3 of these greats ended up with 20 each?
if you are a nadal tard then it is not good, as simple as that.
Huh? I don’t have a dog in this fight.
It’s too bad that there has to be a moronic troll who stinks this site up with their pathetic anti-Rafa drivel.
Miserable people who have nothing in their lives. So sad.
I am with Sanju. The anti-jinxing is getting pretty absurd. I remember reading here before the USO started that Novak was struggling and taking pain meds and would not be able to do it here.
It is a real shame that both Rafa and Fed had to bow out with injuries. I don’t think this is good for tennis at all. But I really am tired of reading about an injury and this poor mouthing of Novak’s chances. It’s one of the reasons I have stopped posting. At least keep it real. Only Rafa or Fed could have stopped him.
Its also too bad how certain posters turn up only when theres any kind of Nadal /Djoko/Fed/GOAT reference …most of these poster have been noticable by their absence – I honestly dont care who wins, its been the greatest Slam I can remember for a long time -yeah agree about the sad people .
I guess it depends which man you talking about…
Not everything, just the Career Slam…whats wrong with wanting to see history being made ?
Sanju: An amazing hypocritical comment , you never complained when Nadal was winning everything esp on clay
What I love and also get irritated abt djoko that he has no qualmsof openly declaring his intent without even bothering how will he look if it falls flat .power of visualisation he says .he throws it in the universe..
I don’t think I have ever heard rafa talk himself up this way n not even fed atleast in last 11 years ..
U gotta admire djokos guts n confidence .he also said today he has perfected his game over the years n he has no flaws..
https://mobile.twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/status/1435844714268332032
Ricky (French Open 2021): Until Nadal loses again at the French Open, I’m not betting against him.
Ricky (US Open 2021): Until Djokovic loses to the NextGen in a major, I’m not betting against him.
Does anyone see a trend here? The skill is in seeing it before it happens.
After seeing Djokovic lift his game in the second set against Mateo, I’m not betting against him. I just don’t see anyone out there who can better that level. However, I like Zverev’s chances (and maybe even FAA’s) against him better than I do Medvedev’s. Like Zverev said, you have to go out and win it against Novak, and I just don’t see Medvedev having the attacking game for being able to do that.
I’m not sure it’s a good idea to use Berrettini as a benchmark because I have Zverev beating Berrettini 3-0 as well.
Djokovic doesn’t know he’s fatigued yet and will only find out once the competition ramps.
How many times has Djokovic hit the edge of the line in this match? I think he’s hit it more often than inside the court.
All players seem to do that
Zverev got a bit complacent at Star of 2nd set and when he got broken t twice that almost guarantee he’d lose the 3rd too. So many of these matches are soon and lost simply because a player relaxes to much. The greats have been feeding off this bit of charity since day one.
Won and lost
Ive had a strong feeling all week that Nole wasnt going to beat Zverev hope Im wrong
My word.. doing this at the age of 34…
No-let up in the genius
Genius? It been playing it so long and from an environment where you work out all the tricks on the game.
Never forget, most things in life are circumstantial.
Most things , yeah, but we’re talking about a tiny percentage of outstanding people
No, you’re talking about a small group of people that have all the ingredients that ensure theyre part of that small group.
Don’t get me strong, they deserve the accolades but have know the reality of the situation. There’s plenty of favours along the way
Some favours, but to say that is to take away from a lot of hard work – even for the genius
Do you have a favourite player then?
I dont have a favorite. Ive switched between Fed, Nadal and Djokovic more times than I can count.
I’m usually very supportive of an underdog realizing their potential.
and Murray as well.
Zverev relaxed at the start of the 2nd and the 5th and that cost him the match.
Too late Zverev, this style of genius was required 4 sets ago for the duration of the match.
‘tennis’
Congrats to djoko for the calendar slam. This was the banana skin. He is no way losing the final. Meddy just does not have the game to beat him, we saw it in ao .he can just fade away
Nice bit of ‘reverse’ jinxing there…the final hasnt been played yet, anything can happen
The tennis is so good in this tournament its almost a disrespect to call anyone a loser