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Monday 19 noveMber 2018
Zverev beats Djokovic in 2 sets to win ATP Finals title

By SAM JOHNSTON did it once in the first set
Associated Press and three times in the sec-
LONDON (AP) — Alexan- ond, completing the victo-
der Zverev upset Novak ry with a spectacular back-
Djokovic to claim the big- hand winner up the line.
gest title of his career with Both players began the
a 6-4, 6-3 victory at the ATP match in the same form
Finals on Sunday. that had seen them earn
The 21-year-old Zverev be- straight-sets semifinal victo-
came the youngest cham- ries a day earlier, with few
pion of the season-end- points going against the
ing event since Djokovic server.
claimed the first of his five It was Djokovic, who had
titles a decade ago, and lost just two of his previous
the first from Germany 37 matches, who began
since 1995. to feel the pressure as con-
Top-ranked Djokovic was secutive forehand errors
attempting to tie Roger gave Zverev a chance to
Federer’s record of six titles serve out the opening set
but followed the same path at 5-4.
as the Swiss great, who lost Fans gave Zverev a huge
to Zverev in the semifinals ovation as he stepped up
at the O2 Arena. to serve, and it appeared
Djokovic’s serve hadn’t to inspire him. Three straight Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates breaking serve against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in
been broken all tourna- aces brought up three set their ATP World Tour Finals singles final tennis match at the O2 Arena in London, Sunday Nov. 18,
ment until the final. Zverev points, the second of which 2018.
Associated Press

he took when Djokovic sent in tears as Djokovic sport-
another forehand long. ingly crossed the net to em-
Zverev even began to brace the player who will
outlast Djokovic in lon- now be considered among
ger rallies, an area of the the favorites to end the
game the 14-time Grand Serb’s run of two consecu-
Slam champion usually tive Grand Slam victories
dominates. A 26-shot duel in Australia in two months’
brought up another break time. Earlier, American pair
point in the opening game Mike Bryan and Jack Sock
of the second set and, al- saved a match point in
though Djokovic saved the deciding tiebreaker to
it, Zverev won another beat Pierre-Hughes Herbert
lengthy exchange mo- and Nicolas Mahut 5-7, 6-1,
ments later with a forehand 13-11 for their first ATP Finals
winner to go 1-0 up. doubles title together.
With the biggest win of his Having failed to take ad-
career in sight, Zverev be- vantage of five champion-
gan to show some nerves. ship points during the first-
Although he is the only ac- to-10 match tiebreaker,
tive player outside of the Bryan and Sock then had
Big Four of Djokovic, Feder- to save one against their
er, Rafael Nadal and Andy French opponents before
Murray to possess three finally closing out victory.
or more Masters titles, the “It was a hell of a match,”
young German has only Bryan said.
reached one Grand Slam The 40-year-old Bryan has
quarterfinal. now won the tournament
Two double faults and two five times. He won four
backhand errors gifted times with his usual part-
Djokovic an immediate ner — and brother — Bob,
break back, but Zverev who has been out with an
quickly refocused to win a injured hip since May.
28-shot rally on his way to Sock and Bryan have domi-
breaking in the following nated since teaming up,
game. winning Wimbledon and
From there he remained the U.S. Open before finish-
solid on serve, before end- ing their season in style in
ing with a flourish. Hav- London.
ing been pushed wide, a “It’s been a hell of a ride,”
backhand winner on the Bryan said. “This could be
run drifted past the helpless our last hoorah because
Djokovic. Bob’s training back in
Zverev sunk to the ground Florida.”q