tennis
Before the US Open: Zverev narrowly fails at Djokovic
Alexander Zverev was eliminated in the semifinals in Cincinnati. photo
© Scott Stuart/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
The duel with Novak Djokovic is tight, but in the end Alexander Zverev loses. A week before the US Open, the form is right. The Olympic champion can hope for a highlight at the end of the year.
In a duel with the 36-year-old Serb, Zverev lost 6: 7 (5: 7), 5: 7 in 2:04 hours and was therefore unable to repeat his title win from 2021. At the hard court event, there is instead a dream final between Djokovic and the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who won his semi-final against the Pole Hubert Hurkacz 2: 6, 7: 6 (7: 4), 6: 3.
Zverev hopes for a strong US Open
After winning the title from Hamburg on sand and the early exit from the Masters in Toronto, Zverev can again hope for a successful appearance at the US Open (August 28 – September 10). In the twelfth duel with Djokovic, Zverev kept up well for a long time, but had to admit defeat to the extra class in the decisive phases. In the second set, Zverev took his opponent’s serve again to make it 5: 5, but quickly conceded another break and the eighth defeat.
“He’s one of the best servers, I know him very, very well,” Djokovic praised the 26-year-old. “It’s one thing to watch videos and analyze your game, but on the pitch it’s something completely different. It’s very hard to be patient and wait for chances and then be there and take them. And that was it the case today.”
The 23-time Grand Slam tournament winner continues to chase records: With his 1068th career win, Djokovic drew level with Rafael Nadal and Ivan Lendl and is only behind Jimmy Connors (1274) and Roger Federer (1251). In a triumph against Alcaraz, who is 16 years his junior, the Serb would extend his own record with the 39th Masters 1000 title.
In the world rankings, Djokovic would move up to 20 points from the top-ranked Alcaraz if he won the final. In his comeback season after a serious ankle injury, Zverev will continue to move up towards the top ten in twelfth place – and can increasingly hope for a highlight at the end of the year. The Hamburger improved to eighth place in the so-called race, which would entitle him to participate in the ATP Finals in Turin in November.