2021 ATP Finals Torino SF: [1] Novak Djokovic vs [3] Alexander Zverev

[Deleted member 629564]

It's a charm of round robin phase: the Saturday semifinalists have been determined regardless Djokovic vs Norrie match score on Friday.

H2H
Djokovic 7-3 Zverev

Road to The SF
W Djokovic vs Ruud 7-6(4) 6-2
W Djokovic vs Rublev 6-3 6-2
W Djokovic vs Norrie 6-2 6-1

W Zverev vs Berrettini 7-6(7) 1-0 ret.
L Zverev vs Medvedev 3-6 7-6(3) 6-7(6)
W Zverev vs Hurkacz 6-2 6-4

Vegas odds
(as of 19 November)

Sources:
atptour.com
oddsportal.com

What's your prediction?

 

[Nadal_King]

Zverev in 3- 6-3 6-7 6-3
He looks sharp this week, he struggles against Medvedev more than against djokovic these days and he almost beat him here so I think these quick conditions he beats djokovic

 

[Kralingen]

Zverev to expose Novak in 3 imo.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

Zverev to expose Novak in 3 imo.

Top player beating another top player is now called exposing?

 

[Cortana]

Djokovic in 3 with 2 TB.

 

[Jokervich]

Zverev is a tough match for Djokovic these days, but I think Djokovic comes through in 3. The problem is that Zverev will wear him down for the final, which will most likely be against Medvedev. We all know what happened the last time he played those two back to back. Although he was under immense pressure for CYGS that time. This time he is under little to no pressure.

 

[Grgisme]

wait a second. if Sinner beats Medvedev 2:0 dont we have a circle of 3 players in which Medvedev would have the worst set score ?

 

[Hitman]

This match is going to be lit. These two are meeting more and more on the biggest stages.

Olympics, USO and now WTF....

 

[Cortana]

wait a second. if Sinner beats Medvedev 2:0 dont we have a circle of 3 players in which Medvedev would have the worst set score ?

1) matches won
2) matches played
3) direct H2H
4) sets

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

This match is going to be lit. These two are meeting more and more on the biggest stages.

Olympics, USO and now WTF....

They have played all big HC tournaments facing each other. AO, Tokyo, USO and now WTf

 

[Grgisme]

well thats really unfair to players who come as a replacement form 2nd match and win both matched without fropping a set. should have counted berrettini' sets as well

 

[Nicklo22]

Zverev is a tough match for Djokovic these days, but I think Djokovic comes through in 3. The problem is that Zverev will wear him down for the final, which will most likely be against Medvedev. We all know what happened the last time he played those two back to back. Although he was under immense pressure for CYGS that time. This time he is under little to no pressure.

It’s best if three , don’t think it impacts much unless they make Novak play night session semis and then final is morning session . Don’t think that will happen.

 

[Nostradamus]

Top player beating another top player is now called exposing?

it is exposing because novak is old and won't win anymore slams. and sasha is saying he will win all the slams next year

 

[Nadal_Django]

For all the talk about weak draws, Djokovic will play Zverev in all of the 4 big HC events of 2021 (AO, UO, OG and WTF) before the Final. Talking about rotten luck...

 

[Hitman]

well thats really unfair to players who come as a replacement form 2nd match and win both matched without fropping a set. should have counted berrettini' sets as well

Berrettinni had zero sets...

 

[Nicklo22]

Picking nole in straights

 

[Cortana]

well thats really unfair to players who come as a replacement form 2nd match and win both matched without fropping a set. should have counted berrettini' sets as well

Yeah, but it is what it is.

 

[junior74]

For all the talk about weak draws, Djokovic will play Zverev in all of the 4 big HC events of 2021 (AO, UO, OG and WTF) before the Final. Talking about rotten luck...

Zverev has not once beaten a top 10 player in a slam

He is dangerous in BO3

 

[Arak]

Zverev plays better in 2 situations: when he’s the underdog, and when he’s losing. Djokovic should still win in three but I expect a close match.

 

[BeatlesFan]

There is absolutely no excuse for 24 year-old player not to destroy a player 10 years his senior on very quick courts. Having said that, Djokovic 7-6, 6-2.

 

[Visionary]

well thats really unfair to players who come as a replacement form 2nd match and win both matched without fropping a set. should have counted berrettini' sets as well

the system's screwed but few want to admit it. the substitue players are just happy to earn extra income and get the spot light.

 

[Arak]

the system's screwed but few want to admit it. the substitue players are just happy to earn extra income and get the spot light.

They were not playing anyway, so they’re not even the equivalent of a lucky loser. Nothing to complain about.

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

I have a feeling Zverev will win this one.
The ATP Finals belong to the tall lanklets now (Zverev, Medvedev, Tsitsipas).
The lanklets could also be the reason Djokovic won't be able to win a hardcourt Slam in the future: if they keep this consistency, he'll likely always play one in the semis and the other in the final. His hopes for #21 are slimmer than one might think; probably Wimbledon or bust.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Zverev has just 3 wins over Nole. We can't dismiss his choker attitude. Now there is no room for excuses. Just 3 wins. 1 in 2017 when Nole was at his worst. Second and third came out of nowhere. I don't think we should give Zverev a lot of thought until he starts having respectable h2h now. Enough is enough.

Lost five straight matches vs Medvedev. 5.

Has losing h2h vs
Djokovic
Nadal
Thiem
Medvedev
Tsitsipas

 

[nolefam_2024]

Zverev is a big choker. Don't fear him. If Nole loses he loses. But Zverev don't deserve the hype after choking vs his opposition so frequently.

 

[TheAssassin]

Recently Golden Chains has had no trouble handling the field apart from Djokovic and Medvedev. Fittingly third. So better keep him in check as long as possible. Not that I think this tournament has any impact on next season's Slams but it never hurts to stamp your authority over younger gens again.

Another Medovic final please!

 

[Tennisfan339]

It turns out Djokovic's easy group is now putting him in the worst position. Had he had Zverev in his group he would've qualified anyway and with an easy SF. Now his 3 RR matches will look like training sessions and he will have to beat his 2 best opponents in a row. I think it'll be close and the BO3 format + fast courts are the best conditions for Zverev. But, I can't dismiss the fact that Djokovic won 5 of their last 6 matches and the only one he lost he was up 6-1 and break, til the pressure wore him down. No heat and no pressure this time. If it goes to 3 sets he will win.. Djokovic 6-3 4-6 6-4 for me, or a similar score.

 

[Hitman]

It turns out Djokovic's easy group is now putting him in the worst position. Had he had Zverev in his group he would've qualified anyway and with an easy SF. Now his 3 RR matches will look like training sessions and he will have to beat his 2 best opponents in a row. I think it'll be close and the BO3 format + fast courts are the best conditions for Zverev. But, I can't dismiss the fact that Djokovic won 5 of their last 6 matches and the only one he lost he was up 6-1 and break, til the pressure wore him down. No heat and no pressure this time. If it goes to 3 sets he will win.. Djokovic 6-3 4-6 6-4 for me, or a similar score.

You are assuming that had Zverev been in Djokovic's group, that Djokovic would have still come out on top. It was possible that Zverev may have come out on top, meaning, not only would he had played Zverev in the RR, could then have to play Medvedev in the semis and then potential Zverev again in the finals.

 

[nolefam_2024]

You are assuming that had Zverev been in Djokovic's group, that Djokovic would have still come out on top. It was possible that Zverev may have come out on top, meaning, not only would he had played Zverev in the RR, could then have to play Medvedev in the semis and then potential Zverev again in the finals.

Plus it is always better than nothing, like 2019. First hurdle is crossing RR. Novak is accomplished that. No Federer, no Thiem. Now semis is anyway supposed to be hard and if Nole loses, he loses, but we shouldn't be scared of Zverev because he can choke. And not even think of the final during the match.

 

[Hitman]

Plus it is always better than nothing, like 2019. First hurdle is crossing RR. Novak is accomplished that. No Federer, no Thiem. Now semis is anyway supposed to be hard and if Nole loses, he loses, but we shouldn't be scared of Zverev because he can choke. And not even think of the final during the match.

And the end of the day it is the WTF, it is meant to be hard, as it is best of the best going at it. Reason why it is the biggest title outside of the slams.

 

[The Big Foe fan]

Top player beating another top player is now called exposing?

Zverev is a clown bruh
I want nole to crush him.

 

[The Big Foe fan]

This match is going to be lit. These two are meeting more and more on the biggest stages.

Olympics, USO and now WTF....

Forgot atp cup and ao?
Where all that memory fish eating go now, huh bruh??
Or you ate goldfish?

 

[James P]

Have to admit, Djokovic looks good this tournament. Zverev looks okay, but certainly not as convincing as he has at other points in the season.

Novak in straights

 

[BeatlesFan]

It turns out Djokovic's easy group is now putting him in the worst position.

As if that will matter? There's no doubt this is the weakest, most pathetic field for any YEC (or previously, "The Masters") in the past 40 years. Djokovic remains head and shoulders above the field, unless he pulls up injured or gets food poisoning, his C game should beat anyone here.

 

[mike danny]

As if that will matter? There's no doubt this is the weakest, most pathetic field for any YEC (or previously, "The Masters") in the past 40 years. Djokovic remains head and shoulders above the field, unless he pulls up injured or gets food poisoning, his C game should beat anyone here.

This is BO3. Let's wait and see.

 

[Tennisfan339]

As if that will matter? There's no doubt this is the weakest, most pathetic field for any YEC (or previously, "The Masters") in the past 40 years. Djokovic remains head and shoulders above the field, unless he pulls up injured or gets food poisoning, his C game should beat anyone here.

This is what most people said in the Olympics and US, and you saw what happened.
Djokovic can't beat Zverev and Medvedev in a row with his C game or even his B game.
If he is fit he still has margin against "the field" like you say, but he has zero margin against these 2.
And beating them BOTH in a row in the same tournament is the hardest challenge. He succeeded in Australia but failed in USO. In Paris, he only had to beat 1 given that Zverev was in the other half. This time he must beat both. So yes, it matters a lot. No doubt he would rather play Sinner or Hurkacz in SF. If Zverev plays like in Tokyio, Djokovic will need to bring his A+ game, or he is toast.

 

[Deleted member 629564]

If Zverev plays like in Tokyio, Djokovic will need to bring his A+ game, or he is toast.

I would say B+ should be enough this time.
Why? Indoor Turin conditions are much easier than in hot summer Tokyo with its humidity.

 

[Bubcay]

Zverev to expose Novak in 3 imo.

Expose him how? I am genuinely interested in your opinion, not criticizing it.

Yes, Djokovic did not play the top-level tennis in the tournament so far but played just well enough to still dismantle two top 10 players. Not to mention winning a Masters title just a few weeks ago against his biggest current nemesis.

He somehow manages to apply just the right amount of resistance needed to absorb the pressure from his opponent. He is a real-life example of the 'shock absorber' (maybe a new nickname ).

 

[Aabye5]

As if that will matter? There's no doubt this is the weakest, most pathetic field for any YEC (or previously, "The Masters") in the past 40 years. Djokovic remains head and shoulders above the field, unless he pulls up injured or gets food poisoning, his C game should beat anyone here.

Certainly Nole's group was not exactly a murderer's row. Med wasn't quite so lucky.

 

[Kralingen]

Expose him how? I am genuinely interested in your opinion, not criticizing it.

Yes, Djokovic did not play the top-level tennis in the tournament so far but played just well enough to still dismantle two top 10 players. Not to mention winning a Masters title just a few weeks ago against his biggest current nemesis.

He somehow manages to apply just the right amount of resistance needed to absorb the pressure from his opponent. He is a real-life example of the 'shock absorber' (maybe a new nickname ).

Zverev is serving like 80% first serves for the tournament. Of course vs Novak he is forced to go for more but I thought Zverev’s BH started to truly fire both on return and attack vs Medvedev. He was genuinely blasting Daniil off the court. I think this is a problem for Novak whose BH has declined heavily. When was the last BHDTL winner he even hit? It coughs up short balls much more frequently than the FH. And while Zverev is certainly prone to choking, I think this is not a great Djokovic - he’s had nice ace counts vs. Ruud and Rublev but very few baseline winners, and in long rallies both Zed+Med have outclassed him in their recent matches.

Of course Djokovic will likely win just because I predicted against him, but I really think this surface sets up nicely for Zed and the match will be mostly on his racquet if he so chooses. I guess I expect too much from him at times. There’s just way too much talent in him to continue being such a loser.

 

[Bubcay]

Zverev is serving like 80% first serves for the tournament. Of course vs Novak he is forced to go for more but I thought Zverev’s BH started to truly fire both on return and attack vs Medvedev. He was genuinely blasting Daniil off the court. I think this is a problem for Novak whose BH has declined heavily. When was the last BHDTL winner he even hit? It coughs up short balls much more frequently than the FH. And while Zverev is certainly prone to choking, I think this is not a great Djokovic - he’s had nice ace counts vs. Ruud and Rublev but very few baseline winners, and in long rallies both Zed+Med have outclassed him in their recent matches.

Of course Djokovic will likely win just because I predicted against him, but I really think this surface sets up nicely for Zed and the match will be mostly on his racquet if he so chooses. I guess I expect too much from him at times. There’s just way too much talent in him to continue being such a loser.

I totally agree with you that Zverev cannot keep choking every time and will have a breakthrough moment very soon. He is a great player indeed and everything is possible in the forthcoming match. I am just amazed at how Djokovic is still growing and compensates for his lack of speed/strength compared to Novak of the old days (BHDTL monster). He just demonstrated time and time again that he cannot be discounted in any scenario. Too many people do it nowadays at their own peril.

 

[Nadal_Django]

How can a player serve 80% + first serves, with averages up into 215-220 kmph. How is this humanly possible?

 

[aldeayeah]

I don't think Zod will be worth a Single Racket Smash in this match.

Djokovic smashed the racquet on the floor before savaging the net, didn't he? Or did he actually break the thing on the net??

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

I believe that Zverev's coaches have wisely talked him into working on getting less double faults - when he gets lots of DF's he loses but when he doesn't he usually wins. Perhaps Sasha is finally listening? My feeling is that he can win the match but it's always so difficult to do so where Djokovic is concerned. I know I will be rooting for Zverev and I will be rooting for Medvedev - I want to see them in a big final!!!

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Should be a cracker of a match. Earth’s mightiest and Goldie Chainz have served up a few great matches lately. I see this being close too. I’m impressed with Novak’s form though. He looks fresher and under less pressure so I hope he prevails. I go Novak in 3 but Zverev has a great shot as he a top player now on hard courts.

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Fortunately Zverev plays better in best of 3 than best of 5 so I think he has a strong chance of winning. Djokovic hasn't been challenged at all yet but that has to do with his having the much easier group in the round robin portion of the tournament. I like the changes I am seeing in Zverev in this tournament - I will be rooting for him to win!

 

[Red Rick]

Zverev hasn't really impressed me that much this week, but he has an annoying tendency to start playing great in random Bo3 matches vs Djokovic.

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Zverev has been extremely impressive!

 

[bluetrain4]

Sometimes I think the ATP Finals RR format is fantastic, other times I find it trash and long for something like the Virginia Slims Championships (WTA Finals) when it was 16-player single elimination with a best of five final.