That concludes the tournament and the ATP World Tour for the year. Kevin Mitchell’s report will be here soon but here’s Reuters’ take for now.
LONDON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - An inspired Alexander Zverev beat world number one Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-3 to win the ATP Finals on Sunday - the biggest title of the German’s fledgling career.
The 21-year-old broke serve once in the opening set and three times in the second to pull off a shock victory in a packed 02 Arena - denying Serbian Djokovic a record-equalling sixth title at the ATP’s blue-riband event.
Djokovic was a firm favourite having looked unbeatable all week, not dropping a set or even a service game, but 24 hours after being booed following a semi-final win over Roger Federer, Zverev had the crowd drooling over an audacious display.
Zverev is the first German to win the title since Boris Becker in Frankfurt in 1995 and the youngest since Djokovic won at the same age in Shanghai in 2008. Djokovic had beaten Zverev comfortably in the round-robin phase on Wednesday, but he looked edgy.
At 4-4 in the opener a couple of poor Djokovic forehands gave Zverev the chance to serve for the set and he sealed it thanks to three consecutive aces. An increasingly ragged Djokovic then dropped his opening two service games of the second set, either side of breaking Zverev for the first time.
With victory looming world number five, Zverev showed no sign of nerves and clinched the title when he sent a backhand winner past a stunned Djomovic. He collapsed onto his back before Djokovic sportingly walked around to the other side to congratulate him.
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Djokovic is similarly generous to Zverev.
You played much better than in the group stage. You are still quite young and I wish you all the best in the future Hopefully I will play here many more times in the years to come.
Zverev is earning around £2m for winning this, which is nice for him. He lifts the trophy high and speaks at great length, including being interrupted by the presentation of a bottle of champagne.
I really cannot describe it. It’s the biggest title I have ever won. [To Djokovic]: I want to congratulate you for the second half of this year. You barely lost a match all year though you lost to me today. I want to mention how good a person you are. We had plenty of talks, not just about tennis though I am not going to talk about what we talked about. I appreciate you letting me win one today when you can win any match you want. [To Ivan Lendl]: Ivan, thanks for joining the team. It has gone well so far, I think.
Guga Kuerten and his lovely hair make the presentation to a backing track of one of Coldplay’s “urban” efforts. Plenty of applause for Djokovic from the London crowd.
Like Khachanov two weeks ago, Djokovic came up against a youngster with so much talent and far greater energy. A sour note for Djokovic after his amazing recovery of form, but he came up against someone who is now one to watch. A superb shot to win it, and emotional scenes from the 21-year-old. Djokovic is sporting in his congratulations as Bowie’s “Heroes” rings out.
Zverev takes the title, beating Djokovic 6-4 6-3!
Second set: Zverev 6-3 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djok on a knife-edge as Zverev crashes a winner on his forehand for 15-15, then comes a double fault for 15-30. Then comes an overhit shot for championship point. Two of them, in fact. The first is missed by a loose backhand return. Then comes a superb rally, and just as Djokovic thinks he has hit a winner, Zverev crashes an impossible winner.
Second set: Zverev* 5-3 Djokovic (*denotes server): Zverev starts with an ace that Djokovic challenges. And loses. Zverev surges to 30-0. And then 40-0 as Djokovic launches a backhand far too long. A nice return forces 40-15 but a bullying serve is barely returned on the next point, and then crashed home.
Second set: Zverev 4-3 Djokovic* (*denotes server): New balls are here. And that increases the pace. Djokovic looks peeved, but goes 30-15 up as he sees out a couple of rallies. Then goes up to 40-30, and then holds his serve as Zverev gets a bit ambitious with a backhand return.
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Second set: Zverev* 4-2 Djokovic (*denotes server): Zverev double faults the first point. Serving is becoming a problem, and he goes 0-30 down. Serve and volleying takes him back to 15-30. The crowd is on the side of the young pretender here; he is not playing Federer now. Djokovic challenges a call when his forehand is called out and gets that wrong for 30-30. Zverev aces for 40-30 and then Djokovic hits the net cord for a hold of serve that was nervy but necessary.
Second set: Zverev 3-2 Djokovic* (*denotes server): And another hold, this time to love from Djokovic. Better from him though rather disappointing from Zverev. They take a break to a backing track of Oasis and Some Might Say.
Second set: Zverev* 3-1 Djokovic (*denotes server): A hold at last. Zverev starts with an ace but misses his first serve on the next point and then goes 30-15 down. This time he makes a second serve work as Djokovic flails at a slower ball for 30-30. Then comes another error from Djokovic for 40-30. Zverev cannot keep his first serves in, which is becoming problematic but he holds serve after Djokovic cannot get out of the way after a missile of a shot.
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Second set: Zverev 2-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Another break of serve! Djokovic is back in this but still not at his best. He is slowing down the contest to make Zverev think but then makes his own error to leave it at 15-30. A dropped shot is missed to offer up another break point which Djokovic then hands on a plate to Zverev with a poor shot. That’s three breaks in a row for Djokovic, having not had any all week.
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Second set: Zverev 1-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djokovic breaks back!
Ivan Lendl sits impassively in the stand. Nikolai Davydenko is smirking; there’s something happening here. But Zverev makes his first double fault of the night and then misses a chance for a winner when over-amping his backhand to go 15-30 down. Then another mistake opens up a break point chance for Djokovic. Zverev makes another silly mistake when misjudging his shot down the line.
Second set: Zverev 1-0 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Another break for Zverev! Djokovic is clearly rattled and starts a little slowly. It goes to 15-30, and he calls for a towel to wipe off the sweat. Anxiety setting in? He makes it 30-30 with a skidding serve he takes an age to make. Then comes a lengthy rally and an exchange of baseline shots. Djokovic goes long to face another break point. He gets back to deuce - the first of this match - and whips a forehand winner that Zverev cannot return. But then goes long again once more; the errors are creeping in. Another creates another chance to break for the youngster. He takes it with a superb winner after the longest rally of the match,
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Zverev wins the first set 6-4!
First set: Zverev* 6-4 Djokovic (*denotes server): Zverev starts with a crashing ace. His next is just as good. The third is even better. Three set points are his but the first is missed by a loose volley at the net for 40-15. But then Djokovic goes long!
First set: Zverev 5-4 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Zverev has a break of serve! A low bludgeon of a shot from Zverev forces a Djokovic error for 15-15. And then an attempted passing shot goes wide. Another sliver of a chance for Zverev but it goes back to 30-30. Zverev didn’t push on when he might on Djok’s second serve but then an overhit forehand leaves a break point open. Which is claimed! Zverev will serve for the set.
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First set: Zverev* 4-4 Djokovic (*denotes server): Zverev makes short work of this game with some big serving and a lovely drop volley for 40-0. He is keeping his serve in and that is stopping Djokovic getting a chance to break.
First set: Zverev 3-4 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Another long rally starts us off, and that is won by Djokovic when he forces Zverev into an error. He then challenges a call for the ball being out and is proved wrong for 15-15, that leaves him with two challenges. Zverev’s mistake makes it 30-15 and then another for 40-15. A skidding serve catches Zverev out and the game is claimed.
First set: Zverev* 3-3 Djokovic (*denotes server): David Beckham is in the 02 with son Romeo. Wherefore art Brookyn, Cruz and Harper? And Victoria, for that matter. On the court, the rallies are getting longer and Djokovic is being given a game by Zverev who holds with some comfort.
First set: Zverev 2-3 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djokovic makes an error at last, then another when he lets a volley go into the net. He’s 30-15 down, which is a chance for Zverev, but some typical athleticism forces an error from the German. His shot down the line means Zverev must go for broke and he can’t get his shot on target. It goes to 40-30 in favour of Djokovic, whose slowing of the ball using spin forces Zverev to hit the net.
First set: Zverev* 2-2 Djokovic (*denotes server): Zverev is made to chase round the court and loses the point for 15-15 but recovers with a pounding ace, his 44th of the week. Next, he goes 40-15 up with some serve and volley work at the net. He holds his serve with some ease. Both are playing well.
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First set: Zverev 1-2 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Zverev makes an odd challenge to a ball that is clearly out to go 30-0 down. A waste. He then supplies Djokovic with an easy chance to go 40-0 up, before claiming the game.
First set: Zverev* 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes server): Zverev shows his mettle by making Djokovic chase all round the course for the first point, then quickly claims 30-0. An unforced error rattles into the net for 30-15, but forces a mistake from Djokovic for game point, and then collects the game with an ace.
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First set: Zverev 0-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djokovic plays a loose shot to lose the first point, and then double faults the second. Or does he? He calls for an overrule that he wins. And then he wins the point after an elongated rally of 29 shots he sees out with a smash. The first serve is again loose on the next but two mistakes by Zverev set up game point that is gobbled up with ease.
Nobody has won more than Zverev’s 57 matches this year and he has claimed three titles. He’s had a fine year, but nothing compared to the half year Novak has enjoyed.
The toss is made, and the photos are done. Zverev opts to receive serve from Djokovic. Now for the knock-up.
Djokovic arrives to the booming soundtrack of soft-rock with a gospel sound. He speaks.
Probably a different match but hopefully the same result. He has been playing well the last couple of matches, especially against Roger. This is one of the biggest events we have in sport. I am really proud of my achievements in the last five or sixth months and hopefully I can win the title.
Here come the players. Zverev comes in, having donned a fetching peach headband. And he speaks, too.
I’m very excited, very happy to be here. I have to calm down and focus on the match. He is very focused and very aggressive. The main thing is finding ways to win and I am looking forward to it.
Djokovic is world no 1, having been no 22 not so long ago. He has also not been broken through this tournament, and faced just two break points. That makes it an awesome task for Zverev, who has to overturn the hammering he received on Wednesday.
Here’s some corporate buildup from the ATP. Doesn’t London look lovely.
T-minus 15 minutes...
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) November 18, 2018
We are ready for the 2018 #NittoATPFinals title match 🏆
Watch it on @TennisTV 📺 pic.twitter.com/FHptSFVRwX
Zverev is in his dressing room being put through his paces; his trainer has him on some kind of leash. On the TV, Gustavo Kuerten is recalling his memories of this tournament, which he won in 2000 when it was known as the Tennis Masters Cup and was held in Lisbon. He still has an admirable amount of hair and was announced by his nickname of “Guga”.
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Zverev is coached by Ivan Lendl, which recalls the relationship the Czech legend had with Andy Murray.
Seems they have a similarly testy relationship.
The ATP World Tour doubles final at the 02 has concluded, and was quite a match.
Mike Bryan & Jack Sock (USA) bt Pierre-Hughes Herbert & Nicolas Mahut (Fra) 5-7 6-1 13-11
Smokin’ hot 🔥 Bryan and Sock
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) November 18, 2018
They’re crowned #NittoATPFinals doubles winners 🏆 @Bryanbrothers @JackSock#ATP pic.twitter.com/yckFJTLsTR
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These two met on Wednesday and it was something of a stroll for Djokovic.
Preamble
At least Alexander Zverev won’t have to deal with the baying hordes of R-Fed fans who really did not like their man losing to the young pretender and especially not that farrago with the ball boy.
As the long era of the modern tennis greats draws to its close, Zverev is one of those players who can step into the almighty shoes of Federer and Nadal though Novak Djokovic is not going anywhere fast. Despite losing the Paris Masters to Karen Khachanov two weeks ago, he is back as world no 1, and has won two Grand Slams this year.
Can Zverev take the step up? He might need to play at the level Khachanov hit in Paris, but he is not as powerful as the Russian. Winning this event, though, would announce him as a contender for the positions vacant that will be appearing some time soon.
The shrewdies say Zverev needs to toughen up to push for the big prizes and they don’t come any tougher than Djokovic, who beat him 6-4 6-1 in the group stage. This will be their fourth meeting; Zverev has actually won one, at the Italian Masters on clay, a surface that suits him better, and last year, when Djoko was having a wobble.
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