2023 Cincinati Open ATP master's 1000 SF - Novak Djokovic [2] (SRB) v/s Alexander Zverev [16] (GER)

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Its the 12th meeting between these two, and their first in almost 2 years since Zverev's thrilling win over Djokovic at 2021 ATP finals Semi. Djokovic leads the overall h2h by 7-4.

Here they meet again, coincidentally in yet another Semi final, its their 4th SF meeting in a row. Previously they played each other in the semifinals of Tokyo Olympics, US Open and ATP finals in 2021. Djokovic won the 5 setter at USO while Zverev took the 3 setters in the other two events.

Zverev is on the rebounce, having beaten Medvedev to claim his first top10 victory in over a year, and then backing it up with a demolition job of Adrian Mannarino, however, do you think he'd be able to get past Djokovic who's looked great in his victories over Monfils and Fritz?

Hope we get a good one.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

@dking68 your thoughts?

 

[dking68]

@dking68 your thoughts?

I really don’t know about this match. Theoretically it should be Djokovic in two but my gut tells me Djokovic in three. If Zverev pulls the win, The top three seeds + Sinner should be worried if he lands in their section of the draw, he’s back for sure

 

[dking68]

I won’t put a vote, but if I was a bettor, I would say Djokovic to win a set

 

[Arak]

Zverev is not yet fully back in form. I guess his chances to beat Djokovic are not more than 30% at most. Even at his peak his chances would be still 50/50 in my opinion.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

I really don’t know about this match. Theoretically it should be Djokovic in two but my gut tells me Djokovic in three. If Zverev pulls the win, The top three seeds + Sinner should be worried if he lands in their section of the draw, he’s back for sure

He can definitely prove to be a dangerous floater at USO.

 

[dking68]

He can definitely prove to be a dangerous floater at USO.

I don’t really like the guy, but he’s a big talent for sure. But I still have the notion he will never cross the finish line winning a slam, I just can’t see him doing it

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

I don’t really like the guy, but he’s a big talent for sure. But I still have the notion he will never cross the finish line winning a slam, I just can’t see him doing it

If he didn't win a slam from 2 sets and a break up against an injured and heavily underwhelming Thiem, I doubt he'll ever do it.

 

[dking68]

If he didn't win a slam from 2 sets and a break up against an injured and heavily underwhelming Thiem, I doubt he'll ever do it.

Me too. And I think the gap between himself and Alcaraz/Sinner will be too much when he fully recovers. I just see both of them blowing him off the court

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Me too. And I think the gap between himself and Alcaraz/Sinner will be too much when he fully recovers. I just see both of them blowing him off the court

Alcaraz, yes.
Sinner, no.

 

[dking68]

Alcaraz, yes.
Sinner, no.

DR for Sinner 2023 - 1.29
DR For Alcaraz 2023 - 1.30

Both are pulling away

 

[NeutralFan]

I haven't seen either of them playing but judging by the score board Djokovic seems to be in a great form. Z can beat anybody in BO3. Hopefully it's an entertaining high quality match.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Haven't watched either play this tournament, but I don't think Zverev is yet back to the level where he can beat a Djokovic playing near his best. Djokovic appears to have been playing well. So I think this will go to Djokovic, probably in straight sets.

 

[sportsfan1]

Will alcaraz "coach" and provide tips to zverev on beating djokovic, like he did against Medvedev?

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

This should be a cracker. Both guys in form this week. I can see a 3 set classic here.

 

[Rosstour]

Me too. And I think the gap between himself and Alcaraz/Sinner will be too much when he fully recovers. I just see both of them blowing him off the court

Why are we trying to treat Sinner and Alcaraz as equals? Alcaraz has two Slams and has been battling Djokovic for the top ranking spot for what, a year? Sinner is so far from that

 

[I Am Finnish]

Z is back, Z in 2

 

[Mike Sams]

Zverev is not yet fully back in form. I guess his chances to beat Djokovic are not more than 30% at most. Even at his peak his chances would be still 50/50 in my opinion.

Zverev at his peaking having a 50/50 chance against Djokovic?
I thought it would be more like 60-40 Djokovic because Zverev is so ridiculously hot and cold.
I really hope he is invigorated and ready to fight the way he did at the Olympics. That was incredible.

 

[Mike Sams]

Will alcaraz "coach" and provide tips to zverev on beating djokovic, like he did against Medvedev?

Zverev already knows how to beat Djokovic. It's all in Z's head.

 

[jl809]

In Bo3 Abuserev is one of the few guys who, when he plays Djokovic on HC, can decide the match entirely by his own level - Djoker since 2018 has seemed pretty powerless to stop him if he’s “on”. Slams are another story ofc.

Having said that I think Zverev’s level rn is a bit of a mirage and Djoker just absolutely ruined Fritz. I reckon Djoker in 3

 

[Rafa4GOAT]

…I think Zverev’s level rn is a bit of a mirage and Djoker just absolutely ruined Fritz. I reckon Djoker in 3

this but Djoker in 2

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

DR for Sinner 2023 - 1.29
DR For Alcaraz 2023 - 1.30

Both are pulling away

Alcaraz pulled away 2 master's and one slam, Sinner otoh....

 

[Vamos Carlos Alcaraz]

Sasha for the win today!

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

My prediction is Djokovic in 3! Looking forward to it though. Great to see goldie Chainz getting back to a high level of tennis again. Djoko has been solid this week and played some high level tennis himself.

 

[dking68]

Alcaraz pulled away 2 master's and one slam, Sinner otoh....

If it wasn’t for Medvedev that season would’ve been different but I think things between them will change very soon

 

[tudwell]

If Zed can totally bot on serve, then he could potentially snatch the win. Most likely Novak in straights, though.

 

[Vamos Carlos Alcaraz]

Come on Sasha! Slay him today!!!! Rooting hard for Zverev!!!!

 

[BeatlesFan]

Djokovic beats Zverev easily in straights. He will utterly dominate him. Those predicting some kind of epic match are trolling or haven't watched Djokovic's form this week. He's not missing and is solid as a rock. Bye bye, Zedrot.

 

[James P]

He can definitely prove to be a dangerous floater at USO.

Floater? He's live ranked #12. He will face a 5-8 seed in the 4th round, there are only four spots he can land.

 

[Open Stance]

Just bought a ticket for tonight's semi. Tickets currently running $175 and up on the secondary market but it's worth it. Can't wait!

 

[L4S10s]

One thing for sure - Novak won't be standing 5 miles from the baseline on a return like Medvedev did.

 

[dking68]

One thing for sure - Novak won't be standing 5 miles from the baseline on a return like Medvedev did.

Hahaha

 

[Arak]

Zverev at his peaking having a 50/50 chance against Djokovic?
I thought it would be more like 60-40 Djokovic because Zverev is so ridiculously hot and cold.
I really hope he is invigorated and ready to fight the way he did at the Olympics. That was incredible.

Don’t forget that Djokovic is old now and it shows. He’s been a bit fortunate in Cincinnati to have played very little so he’s unusually fresh. I would have given Djokovic 60/40 two years ago but clearly he’s physically not the same.

 

[sportsfan1]

Me too. And I think the gap between himself and Alcaraz/Sinner will be too much when he fully recovers. I just see both of them blowing him off the court

Recall that before his injury at rg '22, he beat alcaraz convincingly in 4 and was giving nadal a tough match. He should have beaten thiem for the uso title. He's beaten novak in important 3 setters. I don't think Sinners done any of that.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

If it wasn’t for Medvedev that season would’ve been different but I think things between them will change very soon

If Sinner is that great of a talent, then solving a one dimensional player lile Medvedev should really not be an issue.

 

[Pheasant]

Zverev hasn’t been serving great. He has had only 6 aces in his last 5 sets. That spells disaster for the giraffe.

Djoker in straight sets; 6-4, 7-5.

 

[dking68]

If Sinner is that great of a talent, then solving a one dimensional player lile Medvedev should really not be an issue.

Still think the next time they play Sinner gets the win.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Still think the next time they play Sinner gets the win.

When will they play next time?

 

[dking68]

When will they play next time?

Could be in the QF of USO. I think he will smack him off the court. Once he gets that first win, the head to head will be reversed

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Could be in the QF of USO. I think he will smack him off the court. Once he gets that first win, the head to head will be reversed

Legs, dude, legs.
Sinner doesn't have the legs to pull of that kind of a feat over a relatively well playing Medvedev in a BO3 format, leave aside BO5.

 

[dking68]

Legs, dude, legs.
Sinner doesn't have the legs to pull of that kind of a feat over a relatively well playing Medvedev in a BO3 format, leave aside BO5.

I agree with this no doubt but I still believe the next time they play it will be 6-1 in the h2h

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

I agree with this no doubt but I still believe the next time they play it will be 6-1 in the h2h

And I believe it'll be 7-0 unless Medvedev is completely off his game and Sinner is playing better than ever.
How contrasting are our views, really!!

 

[Mark Anderson]

Zverev won't have the mental lapse of Fritz. Lose the first game to love and throw in two free points on your first service game. Come on Fritz.

 

[dking68]

And I believe it'll be 7-0 unless Medvedev is completely off his game and Sinner is playing better than ever.
How contrasting are our views, really!!

Let’s just see. I do think he will relish the challenge

 

[dking68]

And I believe it'll be 7-0 unless Medvedev is completely off his game and Sinner is playing better than ever.
How contrasting are our views, really!!

Why I think Sinner will get the first win, his DR is currently higher in 2023, thus if he serves over 60% and the legs are working, I think he will get it. And sinner is going upwards too so once he gets that first win, I don’t see him going backwards. Similar to a Nalbandian-Federer pre 2004 type situation

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

I don't know... it's sad to say, but this event is mere preparation for the likes of Rats and Djoke. The Serb may feel like he's already gotten in enough work, and may not want to overdo it before the USO. And depending how the first SF goes, he also may not want to risk denting his confidence - and boosting his opponent's - in another final vs the Murcian.

In sum, Djokovic would be the obvious, overwhelming favorite in normal conditions. But I also won't be surprised if he doesn't exactly put forth his best effort, and ends up losing in two...

 

[TheNachoMan]

Come on Sasha! Slay him today!!!! Rooting hard for Zverev!!!!

eww

 

[duaneeo]

Other than Zverev having a mental breakdown (which is highly possible considering his decade of birth), this match is 100% on his racquet. Nole is old, hasn't yet been tested, and Cincy is his worst Masters.

Most importantly, it's BO3.

 

[TheNachoMan]

which is highly possible considering his decade of birth

I feel attacked.

 

[mahatma]

DR for Sinner 2023 - 1.29
DR For Alcaraz 2023 - 1.30

Both are pulling away

lol.