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

[RG GOD]

If Zed gets BROKEN here, the match is OVER.

But you said Novak would win in straight sets

 

[wang07]

This is perfect in every way by Zed so far. But what if he goes up 2-0 or 2-1? Moment of truth right here.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

I agree on that. Mainly due to the racquets and then maybe also because of less practicing since the volley lost its importance in the modern game.

It's a vicious cycle. The slice except by necessity is also neglected by many including Medvedev and Zverev but it continues to be a useful weapon when done right.

 

[mightyrick]

If Djokovic doesn't get the CYGS, I cannot imagine the amount of money from appearance fees and endorsements he is going to lose. We're probably talking in the tens of millions of dollars easily.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

His level will drop.

I'm not sure. At this point it's basically best of 3 for Zverev. Just maintain focus and win 2 more sets. He didn't use much energy that 1st set.

 

[daddy]

Peak zverev here

 

[TennisFan436]

Djokovic doesn't care about first sets anymore

 

[Hitman]

Seriously, Zverev is crushing these balls and looks incredible out there.

 

[jltman]

I would bet all the money Djokovic does not lose in straight sets. Have you people watched tennis in the past 5 years?

 

[DjokoLand]

1st set Zed. As I said before Zed will have periods where he struggles and periods where he peaks. Djokovic will always stick around so this is still 50/50.
Hopefully Djokovic follows the Berrintini match

 

[Nostradamus]

now you guys believe the genius,,,,,,

 

[UnforcedTerror]

3:1 Djokovic I guess?

3:0 Zed maybe?

 

[davced1]

Losing first set again almost as if it were a deliberate strategy but it must be pure coincidence right or is he playing a very risky mental game on his opponents?

 

[Mark-Touch]

Serves aside, what is undeniable now is that Zverev can hang with Djoker from the back of the court.
He wasn't able to do that a few years ago.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Great move from Novak: sneak in behind the serve.

 

[MeatTornado]

Novak won the first set in Tokyo and lost the match.

Zverev won the first set in the 2 matches before that and lost both matches.

So...

 

[Nostradamus]

It has to be that shoes.... that shoe is playing like the true GOAT.

 

[jltman]

I will say, if Zverev wins this and loses to Medvedev I will be extremely disappointed

 

[DjokoLand]

Joker got 82% of his 1st serves in play and lost the 1st set. Zedrot came to play.

Yeah but the first day 4/5 games of this set is huge. Djokovic has a nack of breaking early when down and then the 1st set means nothing.

 

[Chanwan]

Surprising start. Few nerves from Zverev 40-0 up. Let's see if he can keep it up, should he come closer to winning.
Djoko 0-1 in sets = right where he wants to be

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Novak playing poorly on serves.

 

[stringertom]

A Shankovic attempted forehand gives Zedraffe the first set.

Joe Kovic continues to flirt with the unconventional approach to victory during his CYGS campaign. Will tonight be the one bridge too far?

 

[Third Serve]

It’s 0-1 now, Novak’s got this

 

[flyingboris]

Did I see a glimpse of drunkovic there?

 

[diggler]

Joker serve volleying as a desperate tactic.

 

[TennisFan3]

In a PERFECT UNIVERSE, if Zedzilla was NOT a CHOKER and did NOT double fault and had a better forehand --- he would be UNBEATABLE.

 

[tudwell]

Novak going for much less on the first serve than he did in his first couple service games. Not necessarily dropping the mphs a ton (though I think that’s down), but the direction just isn’t there, even on the ones he’s missed this game.

 

[Sudacafan]

Z shouldn’t lose if he can keep up with this level.

 

[DjokoLand]

I will say, if Zverev wins this and loses to Medvedev I will be extremely disappointed

It be the most Zverev thing to do but Zed held over Med in the first few matches now Med holds over him

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

I slept during the first set

 

[MeatTornado]

Serves aside, what is undeniable now is that Zverev can hang with Djoker from the back of the court.
He wasn't able to do that a few years ago.

He did it at the YEC final in 2018. Went blow for blow from the backcourt.

it's the slams that are always a question mark with Zverev.

 

[junior74]

1–0 is the most dangerous lead

Was gonna say 40-15, but that's not a lead - it's a death sentence.

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

well Nole aint going away. You still gotta take 3 sets from it. Thats been everyone's problem. Keeping their foot on his throat

 

[mike danny]

If Djokovic doesn't get the CYGS, I cannot imagine the amount of money from appearance fees and endorsements he is going to lose. We're probably talking in the tens of millions of dollars easily.

That seems overly harsh.

 

[DjokoLand]

Z shouldn’t lose if he can keep up with this level.

That’s the problem with Zed his up and downs are extreme so he won’t keep it up.

 

[fundrazer]

Novak first serve % dropping sharply. Hopefully Zverev takes advantage of it in this game.

 

[I Am Finnish]

That return

 

[daddy]

Important moment, zed had a bp here

 

[Jokervich]

It's kind of worrying how Zverev is in all Djokovic's serving games, but Djokovic isn't in very many Zverev serving games. Hopefully Zverev chokes very soon.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

vult

 

[ACE of Hearts]

I'm not sure. At this point it's basically best of 3 for Zverev. Just maintain focus and win 2 more sets. He didn't use much energy that 1st set.

I don’t see it but we shall see.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Time for the memes @I Am Finnish ? Egg needs my help

 

[MeatTornado]

Novak had to return that forehand like it was a serve

 

[Cortana]

What are those FH errors?

 

[The Green Mile]

Another massive shank, two in ten minutes lol

 

[guga_fan]

Wow, second shank from Djokovic. This is actually pretty rare for him.

 

[RG GOD]

Well, it seems Zverev do have a backhand

 

[DjokoLand]

If Djokovic doesn't get the CYGS, I cannot imagine the amount of money from appearance fees and endorsements he is going to lose. We're probably talking in the tens of millions of dollars easily.

I don’t think endorsements are based on that

 

[daddy]

Back to deuce. Important game

 

[Poisoned Slice]

David James.