Tri Match Stats/Reports - Zverev vs Djokovic, final & round robin & Zverev vs Federer, semi-final, Year End Championship, 2018

[Waspsting]

Alex Zverev beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 in the Year End Championship final, 2017 on indoor hard court in London, England

It was Zverev's first title at the event. Djokovic, the world #1, was going for a record tying 6th title. Djokovic had won the pair's round robin match earlier in the tournament

Zverev won 57 points, Djokovic 46

Serve Stats
Zverev...
- 1st serve percentage (33/46) 72%
- 1st serve points won (26/33) 79%
- 2nd serve points won (7/13) 54%
- Aces 10
- Double Faults 3
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (16/46) 35%

Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (35/57) 61%
- 1st serve points won (25/35) 71%
- 2nd serve points won (8/22) 36%
- Aces 1
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (13/57) 23%

Serve Patterns
Zverev served...
- to FH 51%
- to BH 44%
- to Body 5%

Djokovic served...
- to FH 50%
- to BH 46%
- to Body 4%

Return Stats
Zverev made...
- 43 (22 FH, 21 BH)
- 12 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (2 FH, 2 BH)
- 8 Forced (4 FH, 4 BH)
- Return Rate (43/56) 77%

Djokovic made...
- 27 (12 FH, 15 BH)
- 6 Errors, comprising...
- 3 Unforced (1 FH, 2 BH)
- 3 Forced (3 FH)
- Return Rate (27/43) 63%

Break Points
Zverev 4/6 (4 games)
Djokovic 1/1

Winners (excluding serves, including returns)
Zverev 10 (4 FH, 1 BH, 2 FHV, 2 BHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic 6 (2 FH, 3 FHV, 1 BHV)

Zverev's FHs - 2 cc, 1 inside-out and 1 inside-in
- BH pass - 1 dtl

- 1 FHV and 1 BHV were swinging, non-net shots

Djokovic's FHs - 1 cc and 1 inside-in

Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Zverev 24
- 16 Unforced (8 FH, 8 BH)
- 8 Forced (4 FH, 2 BH, 1 FHV, 1 FH1/2V)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 44.4

Djokovic 30
- 23 Unforced (13 FH, 9 BH, 1 BHV)
- 7 Forced (2 FH, 3 BH, 1 FHV, 1 BHV)... with 1 FH running-down-drop-shot at net
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 42.6

(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)

(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)

Net Points & Serve-Volley
Zverev was...
- 7/11 (64%) at net, with...
- 0/1 forced back

Djokovic was...
- 9/14 (64%) at net, including...
- 2/2 serve-volleying, comprising...
- 1/1 off 1st serve and....
- 1/1 off 2nd serve
---
- 1/1 retreated

Match Report
The simplest of matches: The two play who-blinks-first from the baseline - and Zverev does it considerably better, while also serving up a storm on a slow court

Zverev serves huge but still makes 21/24 or 88% first serves in the first set to hold very comfortably. Djoko serves within himself but is immaculte in keeping ball in play off both sides firmly and deep to hold just as easily by drawing errors til 4-4. A missed BHV by Djoko and bold approach by Zverev sees the game to 30-30

And then Djoko blinks, first missing a FH dtl third ball and then a FH inside-out after a rally develops. Both are attacking shots. He'd barely played an attacking shot to this point (or for that matter, after)

Zverev sends down 3 aces on the trot while serving it out with another Djoko FH error

Its a good, if simple set of tennis. Zverev power serving and Djoko outlasting him from the back with minimal risk. Zverev's upto trading groundies with Djoko, but tends to be the one to blink first, or go for the extra hard hit shot that misses. All the way to the break

Second set is different. For one thing, Zverev's in-count drops to a human 12/22. Now though, he proves far steadier from the baseline. Small amount of sloppy Djoko errors, but otherwise, he's outlasted in decent lenght rallies, with Zverev matching him in sound shot choices. Scarcely a dtl shot to be seen, everything is firm and deep-ish, nothing easy to attack. And Djoko usually gives up the error

Djoko wins just 2/13 second serve points for the set. Nothing demanding about Zver's returns. Just outlasted from baseline on those points

3 breaks to start the set. Zverev starts by outlasting Djoko to get errors, though he finishes game with a FH inside-in winner to end a long rally. Then plays a terrible game - 2 double faults and 2 BH winner attempt misses - to hand break back. Then again outlasts Djoko, who ends game with 2 third ball errors (a drop shot and a wrong footing attempt)

Djoko takes to coming to net some as he's outdone from the back, but like his own game, no easy approach chances against Zver's clinical hitting. Zver breaks again to end the match, finishing with a stretch, BH dtl pass winner. The shot is very similar to the one Djoko himself hit to end the '12 final

Some terrific serving from Zverev, especially in first set. 72% in, while bombing down all first serves, even on the slow surface is a handful. He's got 10 aces to just 1 from Djoko and 35% to 23% lead on unreturned count for Zver

Djoko with just 6 return errors (3 UES, 3 FEs), which is tiny given he's aced 10 times. Anything not completely unreturnable comes back. But there's a lot that is completely unreturnable - 135mph stuff on the line. Not much anyone can do against that

On flip side, just solid serving from Djoko and counter solid returning from Zver. He also doesn't miss much and returns at 77%. He takes returns, including 2nds, from comfortably behind baseline and returns don't push Djoko back

Zver dispatches a couple of third balls with swinging volleys from no-man's land. Otherwise, his first grondie is at most, pressuring and usually less than that. Djoko starts rallies on his serve almost always neutrally

Baseline action is a typical Djokovic led, doing-just-the-needful-and-no-more. Firm shots off both sides, with emphasis on depth. Djoko tends to prefer BH-BH rallies. The odd longline change up to test Zver a bit more when he holds up against the stock stuff

Zver's movements are superb. Of players of his height, he's the best mover I've seen. Djoko's probing change-ups tend to do for most players, but Zver handles it. Also, when pushed back. He's not in 2 minds about it and when balls particularly deep, falls back to deal, while still hitting firmly

UEs are center of point ending shots, accouting for 39 points, while winners make up 16 and FEs 15

Djoko's FH is the weak link and has match high 13 UEs, with other 3 groundies all but same (Zver 8 off each wing, Djoko 9 BHs)

Indicator of passivity of play is bulk of winners being volleys. For Zver, 5/10 are net shots. For Djoko 4/6. 0 BH winners from Djoko. He's not looking to be aggressive, but Zver also doesn't give him anything to attack readily - basically, the same thing Djoko tends to do to his opponents

Low UEFIs capture action well - Zver with 44.4, Djoko even lower at 42.6. Breakdown of UEs -
- Neutral - Zver 12, Djoko 17
- Attacking - Zver 1, Djoko 6
- Winner attempt - Zver 3

0 winner attempt UEs for Djoko might be a first. And he has just 6 winners (4 of them volleys). He does attack mildly, but Zverev''s able to defend ably while hitting back firmly and not giving up weak balls.

2/3 of Zver's winner attempts are in 1 bad game, where he's probably surging with overconfidence after winning 4 games in a row. And he only has 4 baseline-to-baseline winners. Low attacking UEs speaks to Djoko leading (if not attacking) rallies, which he does particularly BH-BH and defending silkily when called on too. Most attacking shots end up coming back

Summing up, simple and uneventful contest. Zverev's big serving is the stand out eye catching feature. Other than that, well played, sound, dual winged rallies make up action with both players hitting firmly and keeping good depth. And Zverev is the one that's able to hit one more ball that much more often

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Literally servebot pushing extraordinaire. Surprising Djokovic wasn't up to it like in the 2016 final, must've been age telling in late season.

 

[Kralingen]

The NextGen are essentially 5-10% first serve percentage away from looking like they’re fulfilling their potential, lol.

note that Zverev also put on a similar serving show at the Olympics, also >70%, and closer to 80% in the 2nd set comeback+3rd set. Nothing too crazy.

 

[Third Serve]

Djokovic looked scary good up until this match. His other matches in this tournament were surely up there with his absolute best, but it's strange that his level dropped so much in the final. And it's not even the only time he's done this against Zverev either (Rome 2017).

 

[Waspsting]

Earlier, Djokovic beat Zverev 6-4, 6-1 in the round robin

Djokovic won 61 points, Zverev 41

Serve Stats
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (32/52) 62%
- 1st serve points won (24/32) 75%
- 2nd serve points won (14/20) 70%
- Aces 1
- Double Faults 3
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (12/52) 23%

Zverev...
- 1st serve percentage (30/50) 60%
- 1st serve points won (20/30) 67%
- 2nd serve points won (7/20) 35%
- Aces 9
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (13/50) 26%

Serve Pattern
Djokovic served...
- to FH 49%
- to BH 49%
- to Body 2%

Zverev served...
- to FH 48%
- to BH 46%
- to Body 6%

Return Stats
Djokovic made...
- 35 (16 FH, 19 BH)
- 4 Errors, all forced...
- 4 Forced (1 FH, 3 BH)
- Return Rate (35/48) 73%

Zverev made...
- 37 (17 FH, 20 BH)
- 11 Errors, comprising...
- 6 Unforced (4 FH, 2 BH)
- 5 Forced (3 FH, 2 BH)
- Return Rate (37/49) 76%

Break Points
Djokovic 3/5 (3 games)
Zverev 0/2 (1 game)

Winners (including returns, excluding aces)
Djokovic 10 (8 FH, 1 BH, 1 BHV)
Zverev 11 (5 FH, 2 BH, 1 BHV, 3 OH)

Djokovic's FHs - 2 cc (1 pass, 1 at net), 1 cc/inside-in, 1 dtl pass at net, 3 inside-out (1 pass), 1 drop shot at net
- BH - 1 dtl

Zverev's FHs - 1 cc, 2 dtl (1 pass, 1 at net), 1 inside-in/cc
- BHs - 1 dtl pass, 1 dtl/inside-out

Errors (excluding returns and serves)
Djokovic 14
- 10 Unforced (7 FH, 3 BH)
- 4 Forced (1 FH, 3 BH)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 49

Zverev 37
- 29 Unforced (12 FH, 17 BH)... with 1 FH running-down-drop-shot at net
- 8 Forced (1 FH, 5 BH, 2 BHV)... with 1 FH running-down-drop shot at net
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 45.9

(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)

(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)

Net Points & Serve-Volley
Djokovic was...
- 6/10 (60%) at net, with...
- 0/1 forced back

Zverev was...
- 6/14 (43%) at net, with...
- 0/1 forced back

Match Report
Simple match with deceptively one sided stats. Upto 2-1 in second set, things are pretty even in terms of how well each has played and prospects for rest of match (in context of Djokovic being up a set)

Upto 4-4 in first set, both players have held comfortably. No break points, no deuces, all games to 15 or 30

Djoko has a tough hold for 5-4, saving 2 break points in a 10 point game. Then Zver is broken in 10 point game on the third break point. Essentially, an even set that goes one players way

Then on serve to 2-1, this time with Zver having had a 10 point hold to Djoko’s 2 routine ones. And then Zver falls apart

So about even for 13 games (with Djoko just happening to be up a set), then a train wreck of 4 games from Zver

Key stats are -
Unreturned serves - Djoko 23%, Zver 26%
UEs - Djoko 10, Zver 29

… and they’re key for different reasons and not quite what they seem

On the freebies front, Djoko’s modest rate stays constant throughout match. Zver’s doesn’t

After 4 service games, Zver’s at 9/21 or 43% with 6 aces, in-count 81%
After that 4/29 or 14%, in-count 45%

The equality of the first set (and even more particularly first 8 games) is based on both players holding comfortably - and freebies are behind Zver having done so. 81% in-count probably isn’t sustainable, but drop to 45% is also radical. So Zver relying entirely on big serving to be effective? Away goes the big serve, and Zver’s chances with it? Djoko much better court player, and with fat serve out of equation, that shining through?

Statistically, yes. While Zver’s serve-botted his way to equality, Djoko’s been winning baseline rallies, which have been probing of nature. Not hard-hitting, but clinical. Not attacking, but also not the push-fest the final would be. Dual winged, both players changing directions occasionally. Zver does so a little more

The rallies haven’t been short. Zver blinks considerably more often - hence Djoko holding readily - but doesn’t look like a mismatch due to length of the rallies

At 4-4, UEs read Djoko 3, Zver 10
By end of set - Djoko 5, Zver 16

In short, Zver holding on back of freebies bought with big (and unsustainably regular big serving), Djoko holding on back of outlasting Zver from baseline in competitive rallies. Which is likely to give out first?

Wouldn’t come as a surprise to see the UE trend turn. In fact, sooner or later its bound to - Djoko is not categorically stronger off the ground than Zver. And to be clear, its not all UEs - Zver’s more attacking (within context of action being probing at most), goes for a few more shots, comes to net more

Wouldn’t expect in-count of 81% to last either, so that worm’s likely to turn too

Prospects seem about even

In reality - in-count drops like a stone and UE gap widens like a creek entering a lake - from equal rallies of hitting that Djoko’s more consistent on to Zver getting outright sloppy and not being able to keep ball in court - game, set match Djokovic

Djoko winning 70% of his second serve points and 65% of Zver’s sum up Djoko’s superiority of the ground. That’s a big superiority, as befits scoreline

Zver has 29 UEs - all groundstrokes (including a running-down-drop-shot at net). Putting that in perspective -
- Both players combined have 21 winners
- Both players combined have 12 FEs
- Both players combined have 25 unreturned serves
- Djoko has 10 UEs (Zver has 12 FH, 17 BH)

BH falters most and even the way it does is a little strange. Around the turning point, he starts missing BH cc’s wide. They don’t look like attempts at being attacking, open the court shots… just badly judged, edgy neutral shots gone wrong

Other noteworthy stat is Djoko with 4 return errors (while Zver has 9 aces). With 9 aces or 30% of first serves, there are plenty of other big powerful serves coming down. Unless they’re absolutely untouchable, they all come back - excellent from Djoko

Not much overly strong second returning from Djoko. For one, good second serves from Zver too, including a few forceful ones. His low 2nd serve points won is all about court game, not strong returning (stuff right to the baseline or very powerfully hit) from Djoko

Zver coming forward a fair amount. He’s at net 14 times to Djoko’s 10. Is neither good, nor looks good there. Clumsy movements, little anticipation and just dumping volleys in court with little purpose. Wins just 6/14, despite no UEs - his volleys leave good look passes. Djoko doesn’t overdo the pass - getting it a little wide with decent pace is enough to win points

Djoko isn’t at net much, but looks very good and comfortable up there, like a bona fida net player who knows exactly what he’s doing. This part of his game has grown better and better over the years

Match Progression
Sound and decent, if not exciting first set. Zver serving big and a lot of aces, while Djoko’s delivery is well placed enough, but not pacey enough to promise freebies. Zver misses the odd routine return, Djoko barely any

Then they rally. Play is dual winged, with contained (if not soft) hitting, fair few longline change-ups. Zver does so more and is also more likely to give up the error when trying (as is normal), without being particularly error-prone. Rallies go on for awhile, but Djoko is steadier. Zver comes to net some - he looks clueless up there, plonks volleys and wholly reacts (doesn’t anticipate) to Djoko’s passes

Ready holds to 4-4, with no break points or deuce games. Then Djoko gets into a spot of trouble having to save 2 break points in a 10 point game. Couple of FH dtl UEs get him into trouble (along with a lucky, net chord pop over passing winner from Zver), but he comes away with the hold. Saves first break point with a strong serve and Zver draws him to net on the second and doesn’t miss the lob by much

Poor game by Zver to get broken after that, starting by missing a putaway FH cc from middle of court and carrying on with missed BH cc ‘s. He saves first 2 break points aggressively - with a an OH winner and a strong serve - but double faults for the first time on the third to hand over the set

Couple of good rallies and shots as Djoko moves to 2-1 in second set. Zver plays a horrendous game after that to get broken, missing easy, routine groundstrokes early in rallies

No looking back after that. He plays a poor return game after (3 UEs in a row) as Djoko consolidates to love, and gives up after that

Djoko wins 13 points in a row across 4 games. Last 6 games of match, Zver wins 3 points to Djoko’s 24 - 1 to a double fault

Summing up, not a good match, even sans the capitulation that ends it but an interesting one at least. Djokovic’s ability to handle a very powerful serve stands out and his steadiness amidst probing-cum-neutral rallies is commendable. Zverev doesn’t play badly from the baseline for most of match, while coming out distant second to the superior Djokovic - but falls apart completely at the end

 

[Waspsting]

Zverev beat Roger Federer 7-5, 7-6(5) in the semi-final

Federer had topped his group with wins over Kevin Anderson and Dominic Thiem and a loss to Kei Nishikori

Zverev won 71 points, Federer 59

Serve Stats
Zverev...
- 1st serve percentage (44/65) 68%
- 1st serve points won (39/44) 89%
- 2nd serve points won (13/21) 62%
- Aces 7
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (23/65) 35%

Federer...
- 1st serve percentage (37/65) 57%
- 1st serve points won (29/37) 78%
- 2nd serve points won (17/28) 61%
- Aces 3, Service Winners 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (21/65) 32%

Serve Patterns
Zverev served...
- to FH 39%
- to BH 58%
- to Body 3%

Federer served...
- to FH 43%
- to BH 55%
- to Body 2%

Return Stats
Zverev made...
- 44 (17 FH, 27 BH), including 1 runaround BH
- 16 Errors, comprising...
- 8 Unforced (6 FH, 2 BH)
- 8 Forced (2 FH, 6 BH)
- Return Rate (44/65) 68%

Federer made...
- 41 (13 FH, 28 BH), including 1 runaround FH
- 16 Errors, comprising...
- 6 Unforced (3 FH, 3 BH)
- 10 Forced (6 FH, 4 BH)
- Return Rate (41/64) 64%

Break Points
Zverev 2/2
Federer 1/3 (1 game)

Winners (excluding serves, including returns)
Zverev 16 (5 FH, 5 BH, 1 FHV, 4 BHV, 1 OH)
Federer 8 (3 FH, 2 FHV, 2 BHV, 1 OH)

Zverev's FHs - 4 dtl (1 pass) and 1 inside-out
- BHs - 2 cc (1 pass) and 3 dtl (1 pass at net)

- 1 BHV was a swinging shot

Federer's FHs - 1 cc, 1 inside-out and 1 inside-in

- 1 from a serve-volley point, a second volley BHV

- both FHVs were swinging shots and the OH was on the bounce

Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Zverev 29
- 15 Unforced (8 FH, 6 BH, 1 FHV)
- 14 Forced (6 FH, 4 BH, 2 FHV, 1 BHV, 1 Tweener)... with 2 FH running-down-drop-shot at net
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 45.3

Federer 32
- 21 Unforced (9 FH, 11 BH, 1 FHV)
- 11 Forced (6 FH, 5 BH)... with 1 BH running-down-drop-shot at net
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 43.8

(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)

(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)

Net Points & Serve-Volley
Zverev was...
- 16/24 (67%) at net, with...
- 0/2 forced back

Federer was...
- 18/23 (78%) at net, including...
- 6/7 (86%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 5/6 (83%) off 1st serve and..
- 1/1 off 2nd serve


Match Report
Another grooved showing from Zverev, there isn't a thing that he doesn't do substantially better than Federer, and the scoreline is flattering to the loser. Plenty of credit to Federer for keeping scoreline close. This looks like a 3 & 3 encounter

Particularly noteworthy is Zver's advantage in BH play (his being top notch, his ability to handle slices exceptional and Fed being outmatched on that side) and on the 2 players' returns (Zverev comfortable but loose with potential for upping it from there, Fed's not good in any way)

Noteworthy stat are the winners - Zver 16, Fed 8. Has Roger Federer ever been outdone 2:1 on winners before or since? @JaoSousa

Fed stays competitive on back of his serve and even that's not particularly good. The court is so slow - even Zver's regular 135mph first serves aren't rushing - that a serve has to be on the line and prefarably in a corner to be damaging. Fed's able to get them that wide often enough, but whatever isn't, sits up and are quite smackable. Zver usually doesn't 'smack them', but whenever he does, it puts Fed firmly on back foot - and with Zver vastly the stronger hitter from the back, that's very problematic from Fed's point of view

For all that, basic numbers are opposite of slow court numbers. Easy to comfortable holds almost throughout, average game lenght 4.91 points, unreturned rates high 35% (Zver) and 32% (Fed). Play is more line with court speed. Neither player can hit through the court. Fed rarely tries and is probably incapable of it. Zver occasionally steps his hitting up from 'firm' to 'beat-down' of force

Zver's serve is big power - regular in 135mph region - and conservative of placement. Just in-swing stuff. Its enough to stump Fed, who though not rushed, misses good lot of returns. His return game around this period is distinctly ordinary, particularly ability to handle pace. He'd thrown out arguably the worst returning display of his career not long before in the Cincinnati final. 6 UEs for Fed on the return, and a third to a half of his 10 FEs are also on makeable side

On flip side, Fed with some excellent, corner or wide placed serves that have Zver lunging and jumping to return. Not much Zver or anyone else can do about those, but anything not so wide sits up. Zver has 8 UEs and FEs apiece. He smacks the odd second serve hard and deep, but largely sticks to just firm, regular return. No difference in the balls he smacks and most of the ones he just puts back in play

Baseline action is similar to the final - with Zver having a clearer hitting advantage

 

[Waspsting]

Zver is more consistent and the harder hitter. What does that leave Fed with? Potentially, aggressive shot making. He doesn't go for that at all - and its unlikely he could succeed with it if he tried. So essentially, nothing. Fed's more or less at Zver's mercy from the back and plays a 'keep the ball in court game'

Groundstroke UEs -
- Zver BH 6
- Zver FH 8
- Fed FH 9
- Fed BH 11

... with overwhelming bulk being neutral shots. Neutral UEs read Zver 10, Fed 16 (the 2 have identical 2 attacking and 3 winner attempt UEs to go along with that)

Clear cut in Zver's favour. Throw in hitting advantage, and Fed's in a big hole

Some smart attacking from Zver to go along with that. He comes in behind beat-down strong groundies and finishes at net. His volleying looks uncomfortable, but he doesn't have to volley much behind those approach shots and is sure enough in putting ball away when needed. 16/24 or 64% at net for Zver - and that rises to 16/22 when point ends at net. He also goes for the odd winner after pushing Fed back - and usually makes it

In short, consummate showing from Zver. Consistent and at least firm off the ground. Smartly upping it from there to hard hitting. Wisely choosing when to go for the kill from the back - and making it when he does. And coming to net when in command to safely finish points. Efficient and neat

Though not pushed back on defensive, Fed is relegated to reactive position. His movements aren't particularly good and he's apt to give up the error, without being threatening off the ground. From reactive position, difficult to manufacture approaches. Fed's smart too, and is quick to take net when his serve has pushed Zver back or/and to the side. He's an even better 12/16 or 75% rallying to net (that includes 2 third ball swinging FHV winners - 'delayed' serve-volleys so to speak), along with 6/7 genuinely serve-volleying

A favourite tactic of Fed's in general against taller and/or slow moving players is to slice a lot. Usually, it draws clumsy errors or at least, curbs their hitting, allowing Fed to use wide hit shots to take charge

He tries for more than half the match, but Zver handles Fed's slices as well as any right hander I've seen. Least bothered, just bops them back firmly. Not even celebrated BH'ers Andre Agassi or Djokovic - both of whom usually had to check their hitting - dealt with Fed's slices which such casual, no-issue-at-all ease. For most of match, at least the slicing keeps Fed's BH UEs low. He's got only 1 in the first set. Not getting much out of the shot, he turns to more orthodox drives and in second set, its the weakest shot on show with 10 UEs

Other options for Fed would be use of drop shots. He does a bit of that in the first set too, with reasonably success, but drops it after that

Zver's neutral BH is particularly good in firmness of hit and its more on that side that he starts hitting harder to attack. Fed even plays with driving BHs longline to stay away. Still makes errors

Match Progression
All easy holds 'til end of first set, when a break to love by Zver ends it

Zver serves big and at high 68% first serves in, but in Fed's swing zone. Fed struggles to put return in play and when he makes the returns, its usually feebly. Its a powerful serve, so not easy to return with authority but do-able given the placement - and necessary. Fed just isn't upto doing so. Zver's fairly adventurous in coming to net behind firm, not overwhelming, approach shots

Wider, but far less powerful serving by Fed, at just 55% in. Zver misses good lot of regulation returns. He takes the returns from a bit further back than Fed. Fed also utilizes serve-volleys or coming in early (including against floating returns) and drop shots to good effect. He slices constantly off the ground, but Zver handles it with no problem

Returning at 6-5, Zver hammers returns hard, pushing Fed back to begin rally. That's good to draw 3 FH UEs and Zver adds a 1-2 passing combo ending with a FH dtl winner to break to love and seal the set

Zver's more clinical in second set - safe but firm from the back and able to hit harder to be attacking at will. Which he also does wisely. Fed looks to slice all the time, but it has no effect in hindering Zver. He switches to coming over the BH, occasionally trying for wide attacking cc shot, but almost always misses. His BH is genuinely not good in the set, though Zver's is exceptional

Two trade breaks early. Fed breaks first - a perfect, moving FH inside-in winner into small target brings him to 0-40 and BH dtl forces error couple points later. Zver breaks back at once - milking 2 UEs out of Fed's BH before finishing with force - a FH dtl winner set up by a blasted return to the baseline and forcefully ending a long rally

All easy holds from there to tiebreak, with just 2 games going to 30

10/12 points in tiebreaks are first serve ones, including one that's played over due to a ball boy dropping a ball in middle of rally. Both players are aggressive in comng to net to finish. Just the 1 mini-break - Fed blinking to miss an easy FHV to go down 4-6. Its all Zver needs as he takes his first match point on serve with a swinging BHV winner

Summing up, another impressive, controlled showing from Zverev. Big serve, strong off the ground, the occasional well-judged baseline kill shot and readily coming forward to finish points at net. He doesn't look good on the volley, but doesn't need to do much volleying. Particularly commendable is the nonchalant ease with which he handles Federer's slices - a potential fly in the ointment of having hitting and consistency advantage from teh back. There's scope for improvement in his returning - when he chooses to take a big cut, it usually pays but he rarely does

Federer struggles on the return and is squeezed out from the back while trying to just keep the ball in court. He serves well enough and makes most of net play and some drop shots to hold easily enough, but can rarely make anything happen on return. Given how outmatched he is, he's done very well to keep scoreline close