“Was So Difficult to Play”: Novak Djokovic Defeats Alexander Zverev to Keep Serbia Alive at ATP Cup 2021

On February 4, Germany took on Serbia at the 2021 ATP Cup. This was an important tie, as it would decide which team would make it to the semi-finals. Representing their countries, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic battled it out in a thrilling match. In the end, Novak won it 6-7, 6-2, 7-5.

Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev: The First Set

Novak and Zverev were battling for every single point. Their service was incredible, which is why neither player ever faced a breakpoint in the first set. This led to a tiebreaker where Sascha brought out some of his best tennis.

He got a couple of mini-breaks and won the set by taking the tiebreaker 7-3. The pressure was all on the Serb who had to pull off an incredible comeback.

Second Set

The second set of the match started off much like the first one, with both men dominating the service games. However, at 2-2, Djokovic finally saw an opportunity to break the Zverev serve. He had two breakpoints, but he only needed one to take an important 3-2 lead.

This ruined Zverev’s rhythm as he conceded another break to Novak, who took a commanding 5-2 lead. The Serb then served out the set 6-2 to even the match at one set all.

The Third Set

There was a lot at stake in the third set, which is why both players were competing fiercely for every point. However, it was difficult to maintain a high-level, and hence, one of them had to slip up. Again, it was Zverev who did so.

At 4-4, the German conceded a break to Djokovic, who then had the opportunity to serve for the match. However, Zverev showed amazing mental strength and broke back even though the Serb had a match point.

Djokovic was furious with himself, but he translated that anger to great tennis and broke Sascha again. He then finally served out the set 7-5 to seal the match. The tie between Germany and Serbia was now 1-1 and would be decided by a doubles match.

Novak Djokovic On His Win

After the match, Novak appreciated his opponent for playing a very good match.

“I thought it was a great match, I thought we both played well. He definitely had a big serving match, it was so difficult to play. Missiles from the other side of the court…

“You got to give him credit for being courageous and trying his best.”

After such a tiring match, many might wonder whether Djokovic will play the deciding doubles match. He hasn’t committed to it, but he might as he would like to take his country into the semi-finals of the ATP Cup.