Djokovic wins as Zverev to face Federer at ATP Finals

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Novak Djokovic prepared for Saturday's last-four clash with Kevin Anderson at the ATP Finals in ominous fashion by outlasting Marin Cilic 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 as Alexander Zverev geared up to face Roger Federer.

The Serbian world number one started Friday's evening match at London's O2 Arena with the luxury of knowing he had already qualified as the winner of the Guga Kuerten Group but looked sharp and focused from the first point.

Earlier, Zverev saw off John Isner 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the season finale for the first time, meaning the dream Djokovic-Federer final remains a possibility.

Novak completes group play undefeated

Djokovic, dressed all in black, won a remarkable 31 points in a row on his serve from the third game of the first set until the fourth game of the second against a determined Cilic, who was unable to progress even with a victory.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates match point in his third singles round robin match against Marin Cilic of Croatia on November 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

"Obviously I knew before the match that I had already qualified, and I knew who I'm playing, so it wasn't easy to approach this match with 100 percent willingness to win it," said Djokovic.

"But this is a unique format, and both of us wanted to win from the first point. It was a close first set which probably decided the match.

"(Anderson) is playing some great tennis, it's definitely his best season, and he's continued doing that throughout this tournament. He's playing well, serving well, very aggressive, so I know what to expect."

In a high-quality contest, the 14-time Grand Slam champion stayed calm to save a set point in the first-set tie-break before taking it 9-7 on his second set point.

In the second set, Djokovic immediately put Cilic's serve under severe pressure.

The Croatian former US Open champion dug deep to stay in the contest in the early stages but cracked in the fifth game, giving himself a mountain to climb and also succumbed in his next service game, leaving Djokovic to serve out for the win.

Zverev's time

Alexander Zverev becomes the youngest ATP Finals semi-finalist in nine years by beating John Isner on November 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

Zverev was aware that a win by any scoreline against American giant Isner would take him through to the semi-finals.

The turning point came at the end of the 12th game, when the 21-year-old German saved a set point on his own serve with an ace, going on to force a tie-break, which he won.

In the second set, a single break of serve in the eighth game proved decisive and Zverev served out for the win.

"It's obviously great getting to the semi-finals," he said. "But the tournament isn't over. I am in the semi-finals. There are only good opponents left. There's only the best in the world.

"I'm playing Roger tomorrow, which is going to be a very difficult but hopefully very nice match. We'll see how far I can go."

Third seed Zverev, coached by Ivan Lendl, is the youngest semi-finalist at the ATP Finals since Juan Martin del Potro in 2009.

Second seed Federer, chasing his 100th title, beat Anderson in straight sets to top the Lleyton Hewitt Group on Thursday but both players progressed, meaning early exits for Kei Nishikori and Dominic Thiem.

Source(s): AFP