(Tennis news) On Sunday, the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open will feature second seed Novak Djokovic versus 16th seed Alexander Zverev.
With 36 victories from 41 matches and championship runs at the Australian Open, French Open, and Adelaide International, the Serb has been in exceptional form this year. Additionally, he advanced to the Wimbledon finals, but Carlos Alcaraz, the top-ranked player in the world, prevailed.
In Cincinnati, Djokovic started his season on hard courts by easily defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the opening round. On his way to the final four, he then displayed his talent against the hot Frenchman Gael Monfils and Taylor Fritz.
In an hour and a half, the 36-year-old defeated American Fritz 6-0, 6-4. He needs two more victories to capture his third championship in Cincinnati.
Alexander Zverev, on the other side, has accrued 38 victories from 57 matches in 2023, including a championship run at the Hamburg European Open. He also made it to the semifinals in Geneva, Halle, Paris, and Dubai.
The German had just lost in the second round of the Canada Masters when he arrived in Cincinnati. In the opening round of his campaign, he easily defeated Grigor Dimitrov, and en route to the last four, he outperformed players like Yoshihito Nishioka, Daniil Medvedev, and Adrian Mannarino. Frenchman Mannarino was defeated by Zverev in two sets, 6-2, 6-3.
Head-to-Head
Djokovic has a 7-4 advantage in their head-to-head matchups. However, in their most recent meeting at the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals, the German outwitted Djokovic.
Predictions
The dominant power in tennis, Novak Djokovic, will enter this match with a strong resume this year, including important wins and many Grand Slam titles. He is a fearsome foe due to his extraordinary ability to direct rallies from the baseline and his mental toughness. The Serbian’s career has also been greatly aided by his ability to adapt to various court surfaces.
Strong serves and an aggressive demeanour have helped Alexander Zverev defeat top-ranked opponents. His notable success in this competition has been exemplified by his strategic play and talent for finding holes in opponents.
Their competitiveness is reflected in their head-to-head record, with Djokovic holding a 7-4 advantage. Zverev just defeated Djokovic in the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals, demonstrating his ability to defeat the second seed.
While Zverev’s strong serves and aggressive play may present a challenge, Djokovic’s consistency and strategic thinking may prove to be the difference in this matchup.
Djokovic’s adaptability and tenacity may just tip the scales in his favour in what promises to be an exciting match. He may reach the Western & Southern Open finals thanks to his incredible tenacity and desire for success.
Alexander Zverev to win in 3 sets
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