Men’s Singles
Quarter finals
Novak Djokovic (1) v Alexander Zverev (5)
These two had met four times previously, and split the results 2-2. Three of the contests occurred in 2018, and two featured in the ATP Finals in London at season end. Djokovic won the round robin match easily, but Zverev won the final in emphatic style. The only time the two had met on clay was in the final of Rome 2017, where Zverev prevailed.
In this quarter final, Djokovic was challenged seriously in the early stages.
After splitting the opening two games, Djokovic led 15-0 in game three. A double fault, a backhand unforced error, and a Zverev forehand winner produced two break points for the German. The top seed survived the scare, but was placed under pressure again in his next service game when at 30-30, Zverev set up an easy overhead via a deep searching forehand - break point. Saved, and Djokovic levelled at 3-3.
At 4-4, Zverev was the target of a charitable Djokovic forehand landing half way up the net, and the resulting break point was converted when after a prolonged rally the Serb racquet pushed a backhand wide. Zverev would serve for the set at 5-4.
Zverev opened with an ace. Djokovic chased down a drop shot and forced a German error. A wide Zverev backhand made it 30-30. A netted forehand gave Djokovic a break back point, and he levelled at 5-5 once his forehand down the line proved too much for Zverev to handle.
A backhand passing shot from Zverev was the only thing holding up Djokovic’s path to a 6-5 lead. The world’s best threw in a couple of clean winners himself as a signal of possible things to come.
Djokovic lost the first point of the next game, one which Zverev needed to win to stay in the set, but a terrific drop shot began a run leading to two set points. Zverev saved these with smart serving and a brilliant volley. A great lob forced Zverev into error and a third set point. A double fault sadly ended the set and Djokovic led 7-5.
Djokovic put the foot down in the first stages of set two, with two love games on service, and a third game at the line surrendering just one point. In between, the top seed broke Zverev in the middle of a six game winning stretch. Zverev was on the board in game four, but he had to survive a break point even then. Djokovic had lifted to a level beyond which Zverev could match.
Serving at 2-5, Zverev double faulted, but redeemed himself with a cross court forehand winner. Set point arrived with a loose Zverev forehand, but an ace fixed that. Another fine serve set up an easy put away and the fifth seed had game point. Two more double faults presented Djokovic with a third set point, and incredibly a double fault ended the set as it did set one. Djokovic was ahead 7-5 6-2.
Against the run of play, Djokovic had to work hard to hold serve in the opening game of set three, saving two break points on the way.
Games went with serve for five games, and thereafter Zverev failed to win another game.
Novak Djokovic broke the German twice to win impressively 7-5 6-2 6-2 and reach the semi finals as the only player yet to drop a set in the tournament.
Dominic Thiem (4) defeated Karen Khachanov (10) in similar dominant fashion 6-2 6-4 6-2, and will play Novak Djokovic in the semis.
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