Djokovic ignores firework distraction to close out win over Zverev

Novak Djokovic had to block out the annoying distracting of an amusement park fireworks display to finally conclude a 7-6 (5), 7-5 win over Alexander Zverev on Saturday which put him into a Cincinnati Masters final against Carlos Alcaraz.

The two-hour victory set up a repeat of last month’s Wimbledon final won by the 20-year-old Alcaraz, world No. 1 to Djokovic’s No. 2.

Djokovic won a lengthy opening set against Germany’s Zverev which lasted for an hour and a quarter but picked up the pace in the second set.

But the nerves of the 23-time grand Slam winner were tested as he failed to serve out victory leading a set and 5-4.

The 36-year–old immediately broke back and wound up the evening a game later to progress to the title match.

“I played a very poor game, but I bounced back and sealed the deal in the 12th game of the second set,” the two-time champion here said.

“I could have done some things better, but I’m pretty happy about winning in straight sets.

“A final with the world No. 1 and No. 2 facing each other is I guess what everyone wanted – so here we are.”

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

3 days ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

2 weeks ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

2 weeks ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

2 weeks ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

1 month ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

1 month ago