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

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Looking at the stats it really came down to Djokovic having trouble with his second serves. Their match stats were almost identical otherwise...

 

[mr tonyz]

Medvedev has solved winning tournaments:
-be world #2
-let Djokovic play Zverev in the semis
-profit

More like Meddy should be going to his local Casino with those dice rolls pitting Zrot in Djoker's half of the draw @ the u.s.o + having the 'friendly' match in the r.r dooming Djoker to once again face "The Rot" in this Semi.

 

[MeatTornado]

And serves it out with an ace on the first opportunity! Good job by him in that deciding set
Only man to beat Djokovic more than once this year...

Just 7 losses on the year and Zed got him twice. And in the 2 biggest non-slam tournaments too.

 

[MeatTornado]

The 2012 WTF surface was slow though, no way did Fed have a great chance there.

In hindsight I agree, but at the time it seemed like a great chance for him.

 

[RF-18]

The match was winnable. Djokovic just looked like he already had called the season after the first set and was just rolling with it from that point. It didn't feel like he was desperate at all to win. No sense of urgency. I think he is satisfied that his season has come to an end today.

 

[Hitman]

I know, but it becomes tougher even for the very best after they get older.

Because it ain't no MF'n exho, that's why.

 

[mike danny]

Because it ain't no MF'n exho, that's why.

Word.

 

[Bubcay]

Looking at the stats it really came down to Djokovic having trouble with his second serves. Their match stats were almost identical otherwise...

Yeah, Djokovic was not that much worse today. If he used that set point in the first set, he could have won. Zverev was more consistent though when it mattered.. Well deserved win..

 

[Carax]

Well, that was fun. Now beat the s**t out of him tomorrow, Med.

 

[Nicklo22]

Wow didn’t expect this , good confidence booster for Z . Based on his level , I didn’t think he would win . Although nole was ok on RR matches , I trusted nole to raise his level like he does most of the time . But great win .

 

[Larry Duff]

Never saw this coming, I expected Z in 2!

 

[mike danny]

Looks like it will be at least 7 years between titles for Djokovic here.

Starting to get as weird as Federer when he just as dominant but suddenly stopped winning it despite still being a top contender every year.

The one I'm most surprised Djokovic lost is 2018. He was GOATing before the final and then suddenly in the final itself delivered a stinker out of nowhere.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Hugely impressive win from Zverev. In some ways it was reminiscent of their 2018 final - great serving and almost impossible to hit through. It's why it always makes me laugh when bitter people from certain fanbases talk about how this is supposely such a "weak era" - when I started watching tennis in the early to mid '90s it was inconceivable that players of Zverev and Medvedev's height would be able to retrieve pretty much every ball but that's what we see all the time these days. It's really quite remarkable.

 

[mr tonyz]

Congratulations to Zverev, played really well today against a good Novak. He was the better today, deserved it. Good luck in the final Zed.

Let us Freddy fans have this record. Honestly Wimbly looks more like a record that Djoker can obtain between the two @ this point.

 

[liriel]

Yeah it's less important Wimbledon 2019. But if it was Wimbledon for the second time Novak would have done more than this time.
The worse second serve and the calm nature of Novak.
I don't like fast courts that much. Slow it down a bit for me.

 

[mike danny]

Wow didn’t expect this , good confidence booster for Z . Based on his level , I didn’t think he would win . Although nole was ok on RR matches , I trusted nole to raise his level like he does most of the time . But great win .

Nole had one of the easiest groups ever. On par with Fed's in 2012 who was able to get by thanks to beating Tipsarevic and Ferrer and losing to the only legitimate opponent in his group LOL.

 

[tudwell]

But you'd still expect him to win at least one of those. At the time Fed was still considered the better indoor player.

In 2012 he beat Novak in fast conditions of Wimby & Cincy so he definitely was considered able to win that. And in 2015 he beat Novak routinely in the RR, so that was another huge chance. And in 2017 he was the heavy favorite before the wheels suddenly came flying off out of nowhere. You'd expect him to win at least one of those 3.

Yeah, I know he was 36, but that 2017 title just seemed all lined up, and he’d been impeccable that year outside the US summer season. And then he lost to freaking Goffin lol.

 

[liriel]

F*ck this match.

Let us Freddy fans have this record. Honestly Wimbly looks more like a record that Djoker can obtain between the two @ this point.

You can have it (I'm fan of the big 3). I'll put Rafa - I don't see anyone as good on clay so consolation. Huge one.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

But you'd still expect him to win at least one of those. At the time Fed was still considered the better indoor player.

In 2012 he beat Novak in fast conditions of Wimby & Cincy so he definitely was considered able to win that. And in 2015 he beat Novak routinely in the RR, so that was another huge chance. And in 2017 he was the heavy favorite before the wheels suddenly came flying off out of nowhere. You'd expect him to win at least one of those 3.

2012 was the missed chance but still it was prime Djokovic on the other side, can't win it all. 2015 was always on Djokovic's racquet, he clearly raised his level from RR up and was too good. 2017-19 Federer couldn't hold up physically anymore.

 

[Hitman]

Let us Freddy fans have this record. Honestly Wimbly looks more like a record that Djoker can obtain between the two @ this point.

I think the record is safe.

Novak has doubled his slam count, like he won 10 freaking slams acrosss all surfaces since he won his last WTF. That is how hard it is to win these. Don't think he is winning it going forward, even here, I only had him at best equal to Med and Zed. He has five and that's good enough for me as a fan.

 

[PrinceMoron]

Just 7 losses on the year and Zed got him twice. And in the 2 biggest non-slam tournaments too.

How can you lose 7 times in a season you are going to go undefeated in …….

 

[Bubcay]

Nole had one of the easiest groups ever. On par with Fed's in 2012 who was able to get by thanks to beating Tipsarevic and Ferrer and losing to the only legitimate opponent in his group LOL.

Yes, Novak's group was not challenging enough... Probably one of the reasons why he was not at his current peak level...

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

I felt that Djokovic having such an easy round robin group and not being challenged at all was likely to hurt his chances in the semis, whereas both Med and Zed had a much tougher round robin group to face and get through. That's why I felt that Zverev would win in 3, and I even thought he would win the first and third set - Djokovic always is able to do a bit of a comeback..

 

[MeatTornado]

The one I'm most surprised Djokovic lost is 2018. He was GOATing before the final and then suddenly in the final itself delivered a stinker out of nowhere.

He made Isner's serve look like mine in the round-robin that year.

 

[mr tonyz]

Looking at the stats it really came down to Djokovic having trouble with his second serves. Their match stats were almost identical otherwise...

That's been quite a theme as of late. Djoker's retched 2nd Serve Points Won %. I think with the way Djoker is putting more emphasis on his deathly accurate Spot Serving + his more varied 'Federer' type of crafty points he knows that he isn't the baseline king anymore. Djoker is constantly getting outplayed in the longer rallies quite consistently vs MedRot.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Nole had one of the easiest groups ever. On par with Fed's in 2012 who was able to get by thanks to beating Tipsarevic and Ferrer and losing to the only legitimate opponent in his group LOL.

Ferrer would absolutely make this Djokovic work way more than the guys in his group did. Still loses, sure.

 

[MeatTornado]

How can you lose 7 times in a season you are going to go undefeated in …….

 

[fundrazer]

That's been quite a theme as of late. Djoker's retched 2nd Serve Points Won %. I think with the way Djoker is putting more emphasis on his deathly accurate Spot Serving + his more varied 'Federer' type of crafty points he knows that he isn't the baseline king anymore. Djoker is constantly getting outplayed in the longer rallies quite consistently vs MedRot.

Think he gets too comfortable playing it safe with mid 80s 2nd serve to backhand.

 

[Antonio Puente]

Gold medal
US Open
Calendar Year Golden Slam
Calendar Year Grand Slam
Bercy
WTF


At least the hardcourt GOAT got the important one.

 

[EddieChang]

Looking at the stats it really came down to Djokovic having trouble with his second serves. Their match stats were almost identical otherwise...

It’s more about the long rally. 10 to 20 in shots over 9 is just massive lol not identical

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Because it ain't no MF'n exho, that's why.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

I am sure Medvedev was smirking in his hotel room as soon as they went into a third set so didn't have high expectations regarding Djokovic's end tournament result. If anything I am just upset he just didn't break back in the third. Was so ready for another one in the 40-15 collection.

Congrats to Sascha. Much more impressive performance from him than the one in Tokyo if you ask me. Hopefully the final delivers, whoever wins it...

 

[-snake-]

Ferrer would absolutely make this Djokovic work way more than the guys in his group did. Still loses, sure.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

That was an injured tank.

 

[bluetrain4]

Looks like it was a great match.

 

[Deleted member 774223]

Need more of this Zverev to make the Tour more interesting. Fantastic today and it's time he gets the better of Medvedev too. Hopefully...

Still expecting Djokovic to come out on top more often than not for the next season or two however. No worrying signs from him whatsoever.

 

[Zardoz7/12]

Zverev vs Medvedev rematch after their humdinger in the round robin could be fascinating.

 

[liriel]

Need more of this Zverev to make the Tour more interesting. Fantastic today and it's time he gets the better of Medvedev too. Hopefully...

Still expecting Djokovic to come out on top more often than not for the next season or two however. No worrying signs from him whatsoever.

Agree. He just wants the slam way way more. Off day are not his thing but he lost a few times ATPs so no big deal.

 

[marc45]

Djokovic when asked if he’ll be in Melbourne to defend his Australian Open title after yesterday’s announcement that players must be vaccinated: “We’ll see. We'll have to wait and see."

 

[Krish872007]

So is Novak going to play in Australia or not?
Maybe it's just to keep people guessing a bit

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1462192913597743106

 

[liriel]

humdinger

if you don't mind. what does it mean? (I googled it and I got iffy responses).

 

[liriel]

I just can't see Novak not play AO and then to meet Rafa on clay again.

 

[miko]

if you don't mind. what does it mean? (I googled it and I got iffy responses).

A remarkable or outstanding person or thing of its kind.

 

[Antonio Puente]

if you don't mind. what does it mean? (I googled it and I got iffy responses).

Thesaurus says crackerjack, ace or lulu, if that helps.

 

[Third Serve]

Thesaurus says crackerjack, ace or lulu, if that helps.

lol

 

[Hitman]

I am sure Medvedev was smirking in his hotel room as soon as they went into a third set so didn't have high expectations regarding Djokovic's end tournament result. If anything I am just upset he just didn't break back in the third. Was so ready for another one in the 40-15 collection.

Congrats to Sascha. Much more impressive performance from him than the one in Tokyo if you ask me. Hopefully the final delivers, whoever wins it...

I agree, this one was the more impressive one. Djokovic looked fresh and in the mood out there.

 

[Mainad]

So is Novak going to play in Australia or not?
Maybe it's just to keep people guessing a bit

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1462192913597743106

Do we interpret from that he is still deciding whether to get double-vaccinated or not?

 

[UnforcedTerror]

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 you

 

[Mainad]

I agree, this one was the more impressive one. Djokovic looked fresh and in the mood out there.

Not sure if the same can be said for Zverev tomorrow. Medvedev will have all the advantage of being better rested.

 

[Hitman]

Not sure if the same can be said for Zverev tomorrow. Medvedev will have all the advantage of being better rested.

Med does have the scheduling issue advantage, but also has the momentum, think he has won the last five matches against Zed.