Djokovic v Zverev in ATP Finals decider

On Sunday, 21-year-old Alexander Zverev will chase the biggest title of his fledgling career when he takes on world No.1 Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic produced a masterful display to outclass South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 6-2 6-2, after Zverev became the first German to reach the final of the season-ender since Boris Becker lost to Pete Sampras in 1996.

Zverev did so by beating Roger Federer, who will end the year tantalisingly short of his 100th career title.

The 37-year-old Federer, whose 99 titles are second only to the 109 of Jimmy Connors, began Saturday’s first semifinal as favourite but it was German Zverev who revelled in the big match atmosphere at a packed O2 Arena to win 7-5 7-6(5).

The moment Sascha Zverev reached his first final at the #NittoATPFinals… pic.twitter.com/RLmx7Lehjh

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 17, 2018

“It was a great match from my perspective. I thought from start to finish I played well,” Zverev said.

“I had to be very aggressive today against Roger. I had to kind of take his time away, because when he’s dominating on court he’s unbelievably tough to beat.

“For us as players we count this basically on the same level as a Grand Slam. We want to do well here – you only play against the best player. Being in the finals here is very special.”

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Saturday’s clash between the 20-time Grand Slam champion and the tousle-haired youngster tipped to lead the sport into a brave new era once the holy trinity of Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal depart the stage, did not disappoint.

After 11 games without so much as a break point, it was Federer who surprisingly blinked first.

Zverev curled a superb running forehand pass down the line to get to 0-30 on the Federer serve and was then gifted two points and the set as the second seed’s forehand malfunctioned.

Federer was not about to be ushered off one of his favourite stages without a fight though and a rapier-like backhand pass gave him the early break in the second set, only for Zverev to hit back immediately to cancel out the advantage.

The German, winner of more matches than any other player on tour this year, had his opponent in trouble when Federer served at 3-4 but the Swiss reeled off four points to stay on level terms in the set.

Chants of “Let’s Go Roger, Let’s Go” reverberated around the darkened arena as the second-set tiebreak began and there were boos as Zverev stopped a rally when trailing 3-4 because a ballboy had dropped a ball.

There were then gasps of despair from the Federer diehards when their man got a little too delicate with an attempted drop volley at 4-5 to hand Zverev two match points.

Federer saved one but Zverev would not be denied, belting away a backhand drive volley to end the contest.

Djokovic was immaculate from start to finish against the 32-year-old Anderson as he put himself within touching distance of a record-equalling sixth title at the year-ender.

Four matches. Eight Sets. One win from a 6th #NittoATPFinals title…@DjokerNole sets up a Sunday showdown with Zverev in London! pic.twitter.com/ITdbdQj692

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 17, 2018

He has not dropped a set this week in London.

He found his range immediately and the writing was on the wall for Anderson when he dropped serve in the opening game.

Should he win against the 21-year-old Zverev, who he beat convincingly in the round-robin stage here, the 31-year-old Djokovic will become the oldest player to claim the title.

Djokovic: I thought Sascha did very well i. crucial moments when Roger was putting pressure. Zverev is serving really strong and fast last two matches, I expect a different match comparing to a few days ago. #NittoATPFinals

— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) November 17, 2018

“I think it was the best match I’ve played so far this week,” Djokovic said.

“And it came at the right time. Kevin was playing some really good tennis this week … I’m just very pleased that obviously I’m able to play at a high level consistently, week after week, for the last five, six months.”