2021 Nitto ATP Finals – Semi-Final – Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev on and what time does it start? Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev will take place on Saturday 20th November, 2021 – not before 20:00 (UK)
Where is Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev taking place? Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev will take place at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy
What surface is Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev being played on? Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev will take place on an indoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev
What channel is Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev on? Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev will be televised on the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs
Where can I stream Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev live via their platform. Subscribers of Tennis TV can also stream the match live
THE LOWDOWN
World number one Novak Djokovic brushed Cam Norrie aside in his dead rubber match on Friday to win all three of his round robin matches in straight sets. We will never know what a fit Stefanos Tsitsipas might have been able to conjure up against Djokovic due to his injury but the Serb has not yet been truly challenged in Turin with world number five Andrey Rublev his highest-ranked foe. 34-year-old Djokovic is chasing a sixth ATP Finals title to equal Roger Federer’s record just two weeks after surpassing Pete Sampras’ year-end number one record with his seventh year at the top at Christmas.
Alexander Zverev got the job done against an out-of-sorts Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday to reach the semi-finals for a third time. The 2018 ATP Finals champion has the most wins on tour with a 57-15 record for 2021 as the most in-form player on tour since the hardcourt swing started. Losing just four times since late July, the German won the Cincinnati Open, Vienna Open and a Gold Medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games to add to his Madrid Masters and Mexican Open titles from earlier this season. Zverev has 18 career titles to his name already at just 24 years old.
THE PREDICTION
This should be another electrifying battle between world number one Novak Djokovic and number three Alexander Zverev. In what will be their fifth meeting this season and 11th overall, the fast indoor conditions should favour Zverev if he finds his peak serving ability early and throughout but Djokovic has had his number in recent times. Djokovic has won six of the last seven meetings to lead their head-to-head record 7-3 but the pair have shared four-straight matches in which both have taken at least a set, with Zverev taking Djokovic all the way to five at the US Open back in September. Zverev has beaten Djokovic in two finals, something few men can boast, including the 2018 ATP Finals and his victory in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympic Games is just as impressive as he ended the Serb’s attempt for a Golden Slam.
In recent seasons Djokovic has looked leggy by this stage of the year but, refreshed and revitalised after his long break, the Serb looks destined to reach this final on Sunday. This should be tight with few break points on offer but take Djokovic as the outright winner for a cautious pick or for him to win and both players to take a set for a riskier move.
