2021 US Open SF: [1] Novak Djokovic vs. [4] Alexander Zverev

[WhiskeyEE]

Went with Novak in 5. Hard to see him not dropping at least 1 set. And Zverev is better than Novak's past opponents. If it is a grueling match, hopefully the other semi goes long as well. lol.

 

[FlamingCheeto]

LOL AZ has 2 chances, slim and none. Djoker in 3 easy sets.

 

[BeatlesFan]

LOL AZ has 2 chances, slim and none. Djoker in 3 easy sets.

I also predict at least 10 DF's from Zverev as the pressure gets to him. In any case, Zverev has about a 5% chance and then only if Djokovic sustains a serious injury. But even hobbling on crutches he'd beat Zverev in any BO5 match.

 

[FlamingCheeto]

I also predict at least 10 DF's from Zverev as the pressure gets to him. In any case, Zverev has about a 5% chance and then only if Djokovic sustains a serious injury. But even hobbling on crutches he'd beat Zverev in any BO5 match.

considering how bad he choked in the Final last year against Thiem, I'd give him 2% chance max, expect lots of 65 mph second serve DF's indeed.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I don’t think Zverev can beat Djokovic, but I think he can soften him enough for Medvedev to make the kill.

Serious question: name one thing Medvedev does better than Djokovic. ONE thing. Djokovic has the superior serve percentages and accuracy, better movement by far, mental strength of a beast, better BH, better volleys (the 3 times per match he comes forward) and better everything. He's the more experienced player by far on the big stage and the better player in every conceivable category.

How can anyone honestly pick Med? It's like picking Tiafoe over Nadal in an RG final.

 

[zvelf]

Well, no need to exaggerate. Djokovic is the overwhelming favourite against any of them, and only Zverev is a potential challenge from now on. But then again, this is the same guy who never beat a Top 10 player in a Slam.

This never having beaten a top 10 player in a slam stat is a bit misleading. If we only look at when Zverev had come into form, that is, become a top 10 player (which happened in July 2017), Zverev has only played another top 10 player in a slam 6 times. Yes, he lost in all 6 but he was the lower-ranked player in every one of these matches except when Thiem beat him in the 2018 French Open and obviously Thiem is better than Zed on clay despite the lower ranking. The losses have been to Thiem 3 times, Djokovic twice, and Tsitsipas once (again at the French where Tsitsi is clearly superior on clay).

 

[Tennisfan339]

It's really 50/50 for me at the moment. Won't vote. I just want to see a great match, with both guys playing their highest level or close to it. I want 4 or 5 sets (as long as the winner isn't totally exhausted and hands the trophy to the other finalist on a silver plater, of course).

Peak Djokovic vs peak Zverev would be sensational, let's be honest. At the moment, they are the 2 best players in the world when they're peaking. But also have to say they have never played this kind of matches so far. All were a flop. RG2019 was atrocious. Australia this year, both players were FAR from their best level... Zverev choked big time and Djokovic played much better against Karatsev and Medvedev. They played 3 times in ATP Finals (London) and all matches were one-sided. In the Olympics it was all or nothing for both, they were unable to peak at the same time. We have yet to witness an epic 4 or 5 sets in a slam between these 2. They have what it takes to be another Djokovic/Wawrinka rivalry in slams, but we haven't seen that yet. I hope it's coming.

 

[Sambuccashake]

Serious question: name one thing Medvedev does better than Djokovic. ONE thing. Djokovic has the superior serve percentages and accuracy, better movement by far, mental strength of a beast, better BH, better volleys (the 3 times per match he comes forward) and better everything. He's the more experienced player by far on the big stage and the better player in every conceivable category.

How can anyone honestly pick Med? It's like picking Tiafoe over Nadal in an RG final.

I think Medvedev have a better serve when zoning and his "Simon times 10" wonky backboard game can probably frustrate Djoko on fast hardcourt.

But in general you are right on.

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

I checked the stats of all 4 players in the semis and Zverev and Medvedev have the best stats. If the Zverev that shows up is the one who played against Ramos-Vinalos this will be a 3 set win for him. Still, he has been consistently hitting 68% and 69% first serves - 80% in the Ramos-Vinolas match - getting huge numbers of serves in, facing few break points, dropping only one set - anyone who thinks he has no or little chance is deluded.

 

[Stercules]

I checked the stats of all 4 players in the semis and Zverev and Medvedev have the best stats. If the Zverev that shows up is the one who played against Ramos-Vinalos this will be a 3 set win for him. Still, he has been consistently hitting 68% and 69% first serves - 80% in the Ramos-Vinolas match - getting huge numbers of serves in, facing few break points, dropping only one set - anyone who thinks he has no or little chance is deluded.

Exactly idk how people think this will be a breeze for Djokovic lol

 

[Paulreedsmith]

Serious question: name one thing Medvedev does better than Djokovic. ONE thing. Djokovic has the superior serve percentages and accuracy, better movement by far, mental strength of a beast, better BH, better volleys (the 3 times per match he comes forward) and better everything. He's the more experienced player by far on the big stage and the better player in every conceivable category.

How can anyone honestly pick Med? It's like picking Tiafoe over Nadal in an RG final.

Everyone and Daniil has a better overhead smash than Novak!

 

[BeatlesFan]

I think Medvedev have a better serve when zoning

Novak's 120 MPH serve lands in most of the time. Med foolishly goes for 133 MPH bombs (like Berrettini) and gets them in 15% of the time. Give me Djokovic's reliable, accurate serve any day of the week. Djokovic also is a great pressure server whereas Mad Lad is decidedly not.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Daniil has a better overhead smash than Novak!

Great... how many times in a match is Medvedev or Djoker compelled to hit an overhead? He's scarcely at the net unless to retrieve a drop shot, so no overheads are necessary.

 

[swordtennis]

Djokvic is relaxed and living in the moment it seems.
Great post match presser.
Feel a bit more confident after listening to it.
Going to have to get inside the reach of Zverev.
Go to the body try and expose the chin.

 

[Shu-Pak]

People seem to forget among all the stats that Novak is a SERB that doesn't forget. He got beat at the Olympics denying him a potential gold for SERBIA. He did not forget this.
He will be out for blood against Zverev. He knows he can crush him. Berrettini has sharpened him up for this match.

I am always nervous before an important Novak match but this one I'm feeling relaxed knowing that Nole will come out sharp as a razor.
I'm not expecting Zverev to bend over but I am expecting a Novak victory.
Nole in 4

P.S. I do think that Zverev might be having issues with his back possibly and this might have a negative mental factor for Zverev as well.

 

[Sephiroth]

Can you imagine Zverev's first top 10 win in a slam coming tomorrow?

 

[Rina]

Who will the crown boo though, if final is Djokovic vs Medvedev? Tough call, no?

 

[Cortana]

When do they start the match?

 

[Deleted member 771911]

What I would give for a Djokovic vs in form Thiem USO semi final

 

[Rozroz]

I checked the stats of all 4 players in the semis and Zverev and Medvedev have the best stats. If the Zverev that shows up is the one who played against Ramos-Vinalos this will be a 3 set win for him. Still, he has been consistently hitting 68% and 69% first serves - 80% in the Ramos-Vinolas match - getting huge numbers of serves in, facing few break points, dropping only one set - anyone who thinks he has no or little chance is deluded.

i'm a little confused..
if Novak returns far better and getting balls back, wouldn't that lower Zverev's stats? even if Zverev serves and plays great, Novak will lower those numbers anyhow..
no?

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

i'm a little confused..
if Novak returns far better and getting balls back, wouldn't that lower Zverev's stats? even if Zverev serves and plays great, Novak will lower those numbers anyhow..
no?

Perhaps - it is always true that the better the player you are playing the more there is a possibility of your stats from the earlier rounds will go down, but that's the same for both players when both are at the top of their game.

 

[veroniquem]

Zverev is 24. He is a slam finalist, and was a couple (?) of service holds from the trophy, and this is his fourth slam semi. He has several 1000 titles, first won back in 2017 and most recently a few weeks back. He is a WTF champion. He has an Olympic Gold. He has beaten Djokovic 3 times and lost 6. Those wins have been in an ATP 1000 final, the WTF final and the Olympics. Not too shabby.
Yet, Zverev has NEVER beaten a top ten player in slams.
Fact is Zverev does not know how to win in five sets versus players of his status. We know he can beat Djokovic. We know he has a slam winning game. Yet, his five set ability- to win three sets for crying out loud- versus top tenners is non existent.
It can only change. But even then, for now, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong in mens' tennis when its supposed greatest prospect cannot beat players he matches up decently against over five sets. Especially when five set tennis is said to be the pinnacle of the game.
What is the tour supposed to be getting these guys ready for? A round of uno in the locker room while they caress their runner up plates?

It's not new. Davydenko and Nalbandian were the same. Davydenko even talked about it. Won masters and WTF but couldn't break through in slams.
But hey, guess what, it was not interpreted as "what's wrong with the tour" then, it was all about "Federer is such a genius"
What's that called again? Oh yeah. Double standards.

 

[Rozroz]

Perhaps - it is always true that the better the player you are playing the more there is a possibility of your stats from the earlier rounds will go down, but that's the same for both players when both are at the top of their game.

also- who’s the best returner Zverev faced till now?
Was there any good returner?
Not sure..

 

[Terry Tibbs]

Im actually backing Zverev to take this in 4 sets because of the form he has been in a d Djokovic possibly dipping slightly.

 

[Winners or Errors]

It's not new. Davydenko and Nalbandian were the same. Davydenko even talked about it. Won masters and WTF but couldn't break through in slams.
But hey, guess what, it was not interpreted as "what's wrong with the tour" then, it was all about "Federer is such a genius"
What's that called again? Oh yeah. Double standards.

LOL, because at the time Federer was in his mid-30s, right?

 

[veroniquem]

LOL, because at the time Federer was in his mid-30s, right?

This is not about age but about the fact that some players are much better in best of 3 than in best of 5 (or vice versa ) and that has always existed. It's not a new phenomenon.

 

[Kralingen]

Zverev’s back is fine, I have no clue what you people are on about with the back stuff

 

[junior74]

Zverev’s back is fine, I have no clue what you people are on about with the back stuff

All the gold wears him out, no? Someone call the breaker of chains!

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Zverev’s back is fine, I have no clue what you people are on about with the back stuff

I don't want to hear anymore about your back.

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Depending on when the match starts, I wonder when the match will end? I am not expecting a long match between Medvedev and Auger-Aliassime (could be wrong, but I am not expecting it), but I think this semi will be a long fierce epic battle (although I hope for an easy win for Zverev, of course).

 

[veroniquem]

Zverev is the only player who can beat Novak at this USO. I've known it from the start, which is why I was not happy with Novak's draw even though everybody said it was easy.
Because the only thing relevant in terms of Novak's draw was to avoid Zverev for as long as possible (meaning having Zverev in the other half of the draw).
Now saying Zverev "can" doesn't mean that he will, especially in a best of 5, I still have Djoko as the favorite, but the AO match was quite tight and it was obvious to anyone who watched it
that it could very easily have turned out differently.

 

[Deleted member 629564]

When do they start the match?

7pm local time

Source:

https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/schedule18.html

 

[Deleted member 771911]

It's not new. Davydenko and Nalbandian were the same. Davydenko even talked about it. Won masters and WTF but couldn't break through in slams.
But hey, guess what, it was not interpreted as "what's wrong with the tour" then, it was all about "Federer is such a genius"
What's that called again? Oh yeah. Double standards.

Yes, Nalbandian was a disappointment for me in a way. I found him very likeable so there was some bias of my 'tolerance' of it.
I get your point about double standards. However, I don't think then and now is exactly comparable. For one thing, my point is more about the generation now, of which Zverev, aged 24 is part of, if we accept that aged 23-27 is a time the best players should be winning slams. But Zverev is not breaking through. I think Federer was the generation now in the days of Davydenko and Nalbandian. Also, Federer was not alone. He had Nadal who was bettering him at Roland Garros, pushing him in Wimbledon finals.
So, I still think there is a point to be made about what is wrong with the tour. No one under 28 has a slam title, and there is just one guy under 30. You see no problem here?

 

[srwaldr]

Fed had nadal? You mean Novak *has* nadal. They are essentially the same age and have played each other more than Fed v Rafa.

 

[Third Serve]

I’ll be disappointed no matter who wins tomorrow

 

[RF-18]

I don't know if it's wishful thinking but surprised so many are picking Zverev.

 

[TennisFan3]

Zverev is the only player who can beat Novak at this USO. I've known it from the start, which is why I was not happy with Novak's draw even though everybody said it was easy.
Because the only thing relevant in terms of Novak's draw was to avoid Zverev for as long as possible (meaning having Zverev in the other half of the draw).
Now saying Zverev "can" doesn't mean that he will, especially in a best of 5, I still have Djoko as the favorite, but the AO match was quite tight and it was obvious to anyone who watched it
that it could very easily have turned out differently.

Zverev is playing WORSE than he was in the AO. And UsOpen surface suits Novak's game better. Zverev liked faster and lower bouncing AO surface.
Also Zverev has back issues constantly here and he might be injured/not in top shape.

 

[veroniquem]

Yes, Nalbandian was a disappointment for me in a way. I found him very likeable so there was some bias of my 'tolerance' of it.
I get your point about double standards. However, I don't think then and now is exactly comparable. For one thing, my point is more about the generation now, of which Zverev, aged 24 is part of, if we accept that aged 23-27 is a time the best players should be winning slams. But Zverev is not breaking through. I think Federer was the generation now in the days of Davydenko and Nalbandian. Also, Federer was not alone. He had Nadal who was bettering him at Roland Garros, pushing him in Wimbledon finals.
So, I still think there is a point to be made about what is wrong with the tour. No one under 28 has a slam title, and there is just one guy under 30. You see no problem here?

Thiem was 27 when he won his slam title.
Cilic won 1 too. What I see is that the big 3 (or 4) are crushing the rest of the tour in slams. That's not a matter of age, that's about how exceptional those players are . It's also about progress in maintaining players ultra fit for longer. When they retire, you'll see lots of different players winning slam titles lol (and probably more the younger ones, they're the ones reaching the latest stages right now, if you've been paying attention. The older players other than big 3 are not: ie Medvedev #2, FAA in USO semi, Tsitsi in RG final, Zverev gold medal)
ETA: I should really say big 2 at this point with Fed turning 40

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Zverev is the only player who can beat Novak at this USO. I've known it from the start, which is why I was not happy with Novak's draw even though everybody said it was easy.
Because the only thing relevant in terms of Novak's draw was to avoid Zverev for as long as possible (meaning having Zverev in the other half of the draw).
Now saying Zverev "can" doesn't mean that he will, especially in a best of 5, I still have Djoko as the favorite, but the AO match was quite tight and it was obvious to anyone who watched it
that it could very easily have turned out differently.

We disagree. Medvedev can win in the final as well as Zverev in the semi-final.

 

[Rozroz]

 

[veroniquem]

We disagree. Medvedev can win in the final as well as Zverev in the semi-final.

I don't see it personally. Everything's possible in tennis of course but we've already witnessed at AO how much harder it is for Djoko to defeat Zverev than Medvedev.
BTW, rinse and repeat, same actors at USO than AO, definitely the 3 best hard court players atm. After that it's a question of matchup.

 

[Kralingen]

is that Carlos Alcaraz on the right?

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Thiem was 27 when he won his slam title.
Cilic won 1 too. What I see is that the big 3 (or 4) are crushing the rest of the tour in slams. That's not a matter of age, that's about how exceptional those players are . It's also about progress in maintaining players ultra fit for longer. When they retire, you'll see lots of different players winning slam titles lol (and probably more the younger ones, they're the ones reaching the latest stages right now, if you've been paying attention. The older players other than big 3 are not: ie Medvedev #2, FAA in USO semi, Tsitsi in RG final, Zverev gold medal)
ETA: I should really say big 2 at this point with Fed turning 40

I know that the younger players are achieving things and reaching the later stages as I have been paying attention lol. But they are not winning slams. I am afraid you and I will have to disagree. I see a problem with the tour, you see exceptionalism on behalf of the big 2, 3. That's it from me as I don't go round in circles.

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

I don't see it personally. Everything's possible in tennis of course but we've already witnessed at AO how much harder it is for Djoko to defeat Zverev than Medvedev.
BTW, rinse and repeat, same actors at USO than AO, definitely the 3 best hard court players atm. After that it's a question of matchup.

It's not the same Medvedev. Everyone has a bad final once in a while. Djokovic has been slaughtered in several finals, and Rafa and Roger have too. It's rare but it happens. Medvedev is playing at a much higher level right now and is playing great tennis in this tournament.

 

[EddieChang]

Serious question: name one thing Medvedev does better than Djokovic. ONE thing. Djokovic has the superior serve percentages and accuracy, better movement by far, mental strength of a beast, better BH, better volleys (the 3 times per match he comes forward) and better everything. He's the more experienced player by far on the big stage and the better player in every conceivable category.

How can anyone honestly pick Med? It's like picking Tiafoe over Nadal in an RG final.

That is not how tennis works. You don’t break everything down and compare each category. Even if you do, Med is younger. If he doesn’t win Sunday assuming djokovic beats Zverev, he will one day beats djokovic in slams. However, if he does which is like thirty to forty percent according to bookmakers, you will look like a clown on Sunday

 

[tudwell]

Can you imagine Zverev's first top 10 win in a slam coming tomorrow?

I’m trying really hard to, but no lol. Gonna be 0-5,000 soon.

 

[Djokodal Fan]

I wasn't convinced with his first 4 rounds of lethargic play from Djokovic. But his qtr final match gives some hope and Djok showed he can get into lock down mode.

Heart wants Djokovic to win in 4, but my Mind says ABZ is going to pull the rug under his feet. He has the power to blast Novak off the court.

Djokovic is a good learner of the game. but doesn't mean he can't lose.

Keeping fingers crossed.

 

[paolo2143]

I checked the stats of all 4 players in the semis and Zverev and Medvedev have the best stats. If the Zverev that shows up is the one who played against Ramos-Vinalos this will be a 3 set win for him. Still, he has been consistently hitting 68% and 69% first serves - 80% in the Ramos-Vinolas match - getting huge numbers of serves in, facing few break points, dropping only one set - anyone who thinks he has no or little chance is deluded.

I agree that anyone who thins Zverev has no chance are kidding themselves. However you are equally kidding yourself if you automatically think if Zverev reproduces his form against Ramos0Vinalos that Novak wouldn't win a set. If Novak plays the way he did in last 3 sets last night then he would have a good shot at winning.

It all depends on which one is zoning for most of the match. Novak has far far more pressure on his shoulders than Zverev but he is pretty good at handling it whereas there are still some major questions over Sasha's ability to do likewise

 

[paolo2143]

Depending on when the match starts, I wonder when the match will end? I am not expecting a long match between Medvedev and Auger-Aliassime (could be wrong, but I am not expecting it), but I think this semi will be a long fierce epic battle (although I hope for an easy win for Zverev, of course).

I am the opposite i hope Felix takes Danii all the way to marathon 5 setter and then Novak hammers Sasha in 3 or 4 comfortable sets. However i would be equally happy if both were 5 set thrillers

 

[paolo2143]

Zverev is playing WORSE than he was in the AO. And UsOpen surface suits Novak's game better. Zverev liked faster and lower bouncing AO surface.
Also Zverev has back issues constantly here and he might be injured/not in top shape.

Zverev is not playing worse than he was at the Australian open and he is on a 16 match winning streak and full of confidence. He is fit & healthy and Novak is going to have to be on top of his game tomorrow