Shanghai Flashback: Novak Djokovic eases past Zverev to move ahead of Roger Federer

Competing in his 1000th ATP match in a career, world no. 3 Novak Djokovic produced another dominant performance at one of his favorite tournaments in 2018. Novak toppled the 4th seed Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-1 in exactly an hour for the place in his 103rd ATP final and the fifth of the season. It was the 44th victory of the season for Novak and the 38th in the last 42 matches, finding his form after Madrid and never looking back. Also, Djokovic grabbed the 327th Masters 1000 triumph, advancing to his 46th Masters 1000 final, seeking the 32nd title and the second of the season after Cincinnati. Zverev won their only previous encounter in the final of Rome a year earlier but stood no chance in this one. The three-time Shanghai champion overpowered him in both the serving department and from the baseline, controlling the scoreboard from start to finish to take another big step in the battle year-end no. 1 battle with Rafael Nadal.

Novak was yet to get broken that week in Shanghai and he kept his serve intact against the young German, dropping 13 points in eight service games and never facing a break point. On the other hand, Zverev struggled to make an impact with his initial shot, dropping 53% of the points in his games and suffering four breaks from six chances offered to Novak. The Serb had six winners and nine unforced errors but did more than enough since the German had seven winners and 24 unforced errors, missing equally from his forehand and backhand to plague his chances for a more favorable result.

In 2018, Novak Djokovic lost three games against Alexander Zverev in Shanghai.

Novak had a clear 30-15 advantage in the shortest points up to four strokes and was 22-15 up in the more extended rallies to secure his victory in no time at all for his 17th win in a row.

Zverev was there to fight in the opening four games, losing one point in the first two service games before Novak found his range on the return to break him at 15 at 3-2. The Serb confirmed the advantage with three winners in the next one and closed the set on a high note, breaking Zverev at 15 in game eight for a 6-2 after just 31 minutes. Djokovic grabbed another break in the fourth game of the second set, and the finish line was in his sight when Alexander sprayed a forehand error at 1-4 to drop serve for the fourth time and allow Novak to serve for the win. A former champion rushed a bit but fired a service winner after a deuce to seal the deal and book the place in the final after another masterclass performance. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3kOVTVN