Since the beginning of July, Novak Djokovic has lost only three matches, the third was the final of the ATP Finals as he was chasing a record-breaking fifth title at the season-ending championship. The three players Mr. Djokovic has lost to are all next genners - Stefanos Tsitsipas in Toronto, Karen Khachanov in Paris Bercy and now Alexander Zverev in the season-ending ATP Finals.
21-year-old Mr. Zverev won the biggest championship of his career when beat Mr. Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 in 80 minutes. This came just a few days after the two had played in the round robin part of the event and the younger man was beaten handily. This time the two players had taken on opposing personas.
Mr. Djokovic, who had faced only two break points going to the final, had not lost a record, was trying to win the title for a record equaling sixth, a tally only achieved by Roger Federer. He was certainly a favorite fan of the game, having only one break in the game.
Mr. Zverev had an impressive victory over Mr. Federer in the sowing. With the win over Mr. Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray and David Nalbandian join the team.
“Obviously, it's quite astonishing, winning this title, beating two such players back-to-back, Roger and Novak, in semi-finals and finals,” Mr. Zverev said. “Means so much. I'm incredibly happy and incredibly proud of this moment right now.
“Obviously this is the biggest title of my career so far. This trophy means a lot, everything, to all the players. I mean, you only have so many chances of winning it. You play against the best players only. How I played today, how I won it, for me it's just amazing.”
The result made Alexander Zverev the first German since Boris Becker in 1995, and the youngest player since Novak Djokovic himself in 2008 to win the title.
It appeared quite clear that as the match progressed Mr. Djokovic was starting to look a bit weary. He lost serve for the first time after about 40 consecutive service games in the ninth game of the first set and Mr. Zverev served out the set emphatically with a game that included three consecutive aces.
Mr. Djokovic had a brief respite early in the second set but his agility around the court was not quite there or as would be expected from him. He suggested a lingering cold which could be heard in his voice, and an exhausting recent schedule has had an effect and Mr. Zverev appearing way fresher stamped his march on the 31 year old.
“Health-wise I haven't been really perfect in the last three, four weeks. That took a lot out of me,” he said. “But at the same time, I played finals of Bercy and here. I mean, I have to be happy with that result. Of course, finishing the year as No. 1, that was the goal coming into the indoor season. I managed to achieve that. Overall it was a phenomenal season that I have to be definitely very proud of.”
And so he should be as he is the only man to have gone from outside the top 20 all the way to year-end No.1.
When the last point was one the German dropped to the court face down ad was there for a bit till the Serb walked around the net to congratulate him.
Sascha Zverev has had a lot of success and he has had a lot of success in his career. This victory is bound to see him on his way to the end of the day.
And maybe now the young guns, the next gen group, they are called to start the game and start the game.
2019 is promising to be very exciting in men's tennis.
