Djokovic lands blow for older generation

World No 1 through to semifinals after another straight-sets victory

Novak Djokovic struck another blow for the 30-somethings with victory over Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals.

Djokovic, 31, dropped just five games against world No 5 Zverev, the 21-yearold German who is leading the supposed next generation of ATP Tour stars.

His routine win came a day after 32-year-old Kevin Anderson pulverised Kei Nishikori, 28, in a 6-0 6-1 victory before the grand master of them all, 37-year-old Roger Federer, swept past 25-year-old Dominic Thiem.

Nevertheless, following his 6-4 6-1 win, the seventh straight-sets singles result in seven matches so far at London’s 02 Arena, Djokovic insisted: “I think there is a lot of quality in the new generation.

“Zverev is obviously the leader of that next generation. He has proven himself, established himself as a top player.

“He has won many Masters 1000 events already, I think three in his career, which is quite impressive.

“You have to give him credit for that, for qualifying for World Tour Finals two years in a row.

“Then you have players like (Karen) Khachanov, of course, (Stefanos) Tsitsipas, (Borna) Coric. I think tennis is in good hands.

“At the same time I think us older guys, we’re still obviously working hard, and working smart, and trying to get the most out of what we have in ourselves left.

“How long that’s going to go on for, we don’t know.”

Djokovic’s place in the semi-finals was confirmed when Marin Cilic recovered from a set down to beat American John Isner 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 6-4 for his second victory in 11 attempts at the 02 Arena.

Picture: PA. Novak Djokovic: First man through to the semi-finals at the endof-season event.