ZVEREV SHOCKS DJOKOVIC TO WIN 1ST ATP FINALS
21YEAROLD GERMAN OVERPOWERS THE WORLD NO. 1 PLAYER 64, 63
LONDON: Despite beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win the ATP Finals at only 21, Alexander Zverev knows keeping pace with the Serb isn’t going to be easy.
Zverev claimed the biggest title of his career with a 6-4, 6-3 upset on Sunday, becoming the youngest champion of the seasonending event since Djokovic claimed the first of his five titles a decade ago — also at age 21.
“Oh my God,” said Zverev, who also became the first German winner since 1995. “I’ve won one (year-end title). He’s won five. He’s won, I don’t know what, 148 titles more than me. Let’s not go there for now. I hope I can do great... but just chill out a little bit.”
“This trophy means a lot, everything. You only have so many chances of winning it. You play against the best players only.” Top-ranked Djokovic was attempting to tie Roger Federer’s record of six titles but followed the same path as the Swiss great, who lost to Zverev in the semi-finals at the O2 Arena.
Djokovic’s serve hadn’t been broken all tournament until the final. Zverev did it once in the first set and three times in the second, completing the victory with a spectacular backhand winner up the line.
“There’s a lot of similarities in terms of trajectory ... in our careers,” said Djokovic. “Hopefully he (Zverev) can surpass me.”
Both players began in the same form that had seen them earn straight-sets semi-final victories, with few points going against the server.
It was Djokovic who began to feel the pressure as consecutive forehand errors gave up his first break of the tournament for 5-4.
Fans gave Zverev a huge ovation as he stepped up to serve for the set, and it appeared to inspire
him.
Three straight aces brought up three set points, the second of which he took when Djokovic sent another forehand long.
Zverev even began to win the longer rallies, an area that Djokovic usually dominates.
But with the biggest win of his career in sight, Zverev began to show some nerves.
Two double faults and two backhand errors gifted Djokovic an immediate break back, but Zverev quickly refocused to win a 28-shot rally on his way to breaking in the following game.
From there he remained solid on serve, before ending with a flourish. A backhand winner on the run drifted past the helpless Djokovic and Zverev sunk to the ground in tears.
› This trophy means everything. You only have so many chances of winning it. You play against the best players only. ALEXANDER ZVEREV, World No 5