Djokovic to play Zverev in London final

Semi finals day was Day Seven of the Nitto ATP Finals in London.

Group Guga Kuerten

1. Novak Djokovic (1) 3-0 600 points
2. Sascha Zverev (3) 2-1 400 points
3. Marin Cilic (5) 1-2 200 points 
4. John Isner (8) 0-3 0 points 

Group Lleyton Hewitt 

1. Roger Federer (2) 2-1 400 points 
2. Kevin Anderson (4) 2-1 400 points 
3. Dominic Thiem (6) 1-2 200 points 
4. Kei Nishikori (7) 1-2 200 points 

Semi Final One:

Roger Federer (2) v Sascha Zverev (3)

The opening set was a solid close fought affair, with no break points given away for eleven games. Federer had been relying a bit more on his second serve, but no concerns until Zverev hit him with a series of deep returns at 5-6.  Federer was put off balance and eventually broken, handing the set to Zverev 7-5.

Severely hurt by the loss, Federer struck back in the third game of set two, converting a break point with a winning backhand.

Zverev, at 21 the youngest player left in the tournament, 16 years the junior of Federer, immediately rectified things by cracking open the Swiss serve the very next game.  Pinning Federer to the baseline with a carefully planned ground stroke offensive, the German was displaying a maturity which had enabled him to secure 56 match wins to date in 2018.  His only down side was his average return from Grand Slam tournaments.

For the remainder of the set it was quality serving, Federer winning over 80% of points on his delivery, Zverev an impressive over 90%.

The tie break was an extension of the server domination for 9 points, but Federer, on the tenth, ran to the net and failed to put his forehand volley over the barrier.  6-4 Zverev and two match points.  One saved with a great forehand and follow up volley put away by Federer.

However Zverev’s delightful backhand volley on the next point won him the tie break and the match 7-5 7-6(5).

A top class win in a high class contest.

A big finish for Sascha Zverev in 2018, whatever the outcome in the final - he is the first player from Germany to reach the finale since Boris Becker in 1996, and the youngest since Juan Martin del Potro in 2009.

Semi Final Two:

Novak Djokovic (1) v Kevin Anderson (4)

Kevin Anderson relies heavily on his serve, especially the first delivery, and Novak Djokovic managed to break the South African in the first game of the opening set, a signal of what was to come.

Anderson was low on first serve percentage and Djokovic was having a hearty meal on the second serve from the fourth seed.

A wayward Anderson forehand contributed a second break of serve to the Serb, and he proceeded to win the set 6-2 in 39 minutes.

Djokovic won 75% of points on his second serve, and Anderson won just 31% on his.

Set two began in the same manner as the first, with Djokovic cracking open the Anderson serve, and the ultimate damage came in the fifth game, sealed with a Djokovic cross court forehand from behind the baseline.  He led 4-1 with serve to come.

While that forehand was incredible for most players to envisage playing, it has become standard for the world number one, as too have all the winners flowing from a backhand which is one of the best ever seen.

Novak allowed Kevin the privilege of holding his final service game for the year, before nonchalantly serving out the semi final 6-2 6-2 in an hour and fifteen minutes of immaculate tennis. A stinging stat showed Djokovic serving more aces than Anderson.

Anderson completed a fine 2018, his best season yet.  A Wimbledon final, including epic wins over Federer and Isner, a career high ranking of five in July, and career best year end ranking of six.

Novak Djokovic defeated Sascha Zverev in a round robin match just a few days ago, surrendering a mere five games.  It will be a more competitive contest in the final, but to expect anything but a Djokovic win would to be ignore his unbeaten run to this stage, no sets lost and service held throughout, only two break points faced and saved.