Novak Djokovic Holds Off Alexander Zverev at ATP Finals

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic at the Miami Open Tennis in 2018. Photo by Gustavo Caballero/South Beach Photo/REX/Shutterstock (9474924x)

World No.1 Novak Djokovic produced a robust performance on Wednesday night to overpower Germany’s Alexander Zverev and inch closer to the ATP semifinals in London.

Despite fighting the flu and having to blow his nose in between points, the 31-year-old produced a rock-solid performance to beat Zverev 6-4, 6-1. The Serbian saved two break points in the opening set and overpowered his opponent in the second set to make things easier for him.

“Unfortunately, today hasn’t been great in terms of that (the flu),” – the five-time champion said. “Somehow I managed to gather the strength when I needed it. I guess winning the first set really counts this year…you have mentally quite an edge.”

Zverev looked determined to win the game as he held off Djokovic’s powerful hits and served hard. But after drawing the game 4-4, his wear began to show. A few forced errors and the Serbian won the first set, demoralizing the German in the process.

Although he is already one step into the semis, a three straight sets win for Marin Cilic over American John Isner would lock him out of the competition. If Isner wins, the Serbian will advance to the semis for the eighth time in his career.