One cunning Joker
Djokovic just has too much guile for Zverev, Cilic still in hunt
LONDON: Novak Djokovic has 834 Tour match wins in his storied career but the latest, a 6-4, 6-1 rout of young German Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals will not be one for his scrapbook.
There were few moments to test the 02 Arena’s crowd decibel-level monitor – a new gimmick this year – but despite not feeling well, Djokovic had too much guile for Zverev on Wednesday.
His ability to play the percentages and churn out wins in third gear has been a key component in his rise to one of the all-time greats and that was all he needed.
It was the 31-year-old Serb’s second comfortable win in the Gustavo Kuerten group and combined with Marin Cilic’s 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-4 defeat of American John Isner later in the day, he sealed his place in the semi-finals at the year-ender for the eighth time.
Djokovic appeared to be suffering with a cold but after some fierce resistance in the opening set he ran away with the match.
“A win is a win,” the world No. 1, bidding for a record-equalling sixth title at the ATP’s blue-riband event, told reporters.
“Somehow I managed to gather the strength when I needed it. It wasn’t a great quality tennis match to be honest.”
“I guess winning the first set really counts this year. Then, I guess, you have mentally quite an edge,” Djokovic, who has won 33 of his last 35 matches, said. The scrap is now on for second place with Zverev targeting a win over Isner today to reach the semi-finals for the first time after falling in the group phase last year.
He, Cilic and Isner can all still join Djokovic in the semis and calculators might be needed today.
“I think I’ll take it as a normal quarter-final match at a normal tournament,” said the German, who beat Croatia’s Cilic in his opening match on Monday.