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Alexander Zverev he was eliminated in the group stage of the 2020 ATP Finals. The German left his defeat against in the second set Novak Djokovic some possibilities.
by Jörg Allmeroth
Last edit: November 20, 2020, 6:04 p.m.
Novak Djokovic just sent a prayer under the roof of the O2 stadium, when Alexander Zverev slipped out of the deserted hall with his shoulders slumped. His workday had started devastating, the third and decisive group match, after just a quarter of an hour he was already 0: 3 behind the number one player in the world, a real debacle threatened. But Zverev increased with every minute of the suddenly contested game, he fought at eye level with Djokovic, he also did not yield when he lost the first set.
But the bitter end was not spared the 23-year-old from Hamburg, a finale that recalled his most disappointing hour of the season: as at the US Open against Dominic Thiem, then in the fifth set, a woefully lost tiebreaker in the Round 2 concluded the tournament. for Zverev. Although he led 2-0 in the lottery, it was not enough to finally avoid defeat 3: 6, 6: 7 (4: 7). At exactly 4:47 pm, the World Cup ended for Zverev, and with it a season with many ups and downs. On and next to the tennis court. “I played my best game in this tournament, but it was not good enough. It’s that simple, “Zverev said in a television interview after the game. Djokovic now faces Thiem, the king of the US Open, in the semifinals.
Zverev with three avoidable losses
What remains of this year for Zverev is mainly three avoidable losses on the big tennis stages. The semifinals at the beginning of the year in Melbourne against Thiem, this Friday in London the failure in the season finale against Djokovic. But above all, and still emotionally, the failed jump to the US Open throne against Thiem after a 2-0 lead in the set. It could well have been a game-changing series of games for the young German, who was actually the most successful Grand Slam player of all.
But Zverev’s profile still includes negligence and negligence on the big points, which are almost always decided by the big games. In this sense, Zverev stayed true to his last appearance in 2020: because even against Djokovic, who was by no means playing at the limit of performance, the giant had his options, but time and time again it was himself who built a better result. or even victory with careless mistakes. No wonder Zverev marched down center court again and again complaining about this third World Cup mission and discussing it with his support team. “It was a good year, but there would have been a lot more in 2020,” Zverev said, “you could have made a movie out of season. It was more there than in any previous season. “
Duty accomplished against mediocre Schwartzman
Two years ago, Zverev surprisingly became world champion on the third weekend of November, at the time no one thought he could make it after mixed months of touring. In 2020 he was one of the clear favorites, also because he recently won the title twice in two Cologne tournaments on fast hard courts and thus raised even more hope. But Zverev didn’t really get going in London for long, in the last hurray at the haunted house at the O2 Arena. He spoiled the start against the Russian Medvedev, he was next to him, it was one of the weakest games of the whole season. Then he blunted his duty against Argentine Diego Schwartzman, who did not remind him of the Zverev, for example the US Open or under the Cologne Cathedral.
Only against Djokovic did Zverev’s game win the necessary form, albeit only delayed by a fatal 0-3 false start. Djokovic was saved several times only with strong and effective serves to the goal of the game’s victories, but was unable to break away from the German rival in the second set. Zverev found his self-confidence, he also found the courage to repeatedly go on the offensive with determination. But he could no longer change his destiny, in the tie-break he did not take advantage of the momentum of the initial advantage. How he will fare and the tennis business is open. No one will be able to travel to the fifth continent for the Australian Open before the beginning of January. What remains for now is a break from tennis. Turn off, relax. And hope for 2021. “Now I’m going on vacation to the Maldives. Along with my brother’s family, ”Zverev said.
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