2020 Nitto ATP Finals – Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev on and what time does it start? Friday 20th November, 2020 – 14:00 (UK)
Where is Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev taking place? The O2 Arena, London
What channel is Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev on? BBC Two
Where can I stream Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream the match via Amazon Prime Video
Where can I get tickets for Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev? The Nitto ATP Finals will be played without spectators
THE LOWDOWN
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
- Novak Djokovic played at near his best level but still lost to world number four Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday night in much the same fashion that Rafael Nadal did to Dominic Thiem the previous day.
- The round robin format of the ATP Finals can often throw up results like this but take nothing away from Medvedev’s performance and Djokovic will know he was well beaten.
- The world number one will still be confident of reaching the semi-finals as he faces Alexander Zverev, whom he beat at this stage of the ATP Finals back in 2018 before losing to the German in the final.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV
- Alexander Zverev has been intermittent so far at this tournament, threatening to break into a rhythm of strong form but also flailing for several games in a row which was the story of his three-set victory over Diego Schwartzman.
- The 2018 champion needs to win this essentially knockout match to progress to the semi-finals of the competition for a third consecutive season.
- World number seven Zverev lost a match in each of his last two routes to the semi-finals which proves his pedigree here when the pressure is on, beating Medvedev in 2019 and Isner the year before to reach the last four.
THE PREDICTION
There is no question at 3-2 to Novak Djokovic in their head-to-head record that Alexander Zverev is capable of beating the world number one, but the 23-year-old has not done so since his so far career-defining ATP Finals title win in 2018. Since then the German has won just three ATP 250 events and whilst he is still a relatively young player he is quite the anomaly on tour. The German is better than his performances as a top 10 ever-present over the last few years but he has a history of reaching his potential in these clutch final round robin matches in London. However, world number one Novak Djokovic also needs this win and he will be eager to put right his defeat by Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday night. The Serb played well enough in that loss to beat the current form of Zverev and so the result of this match hangs on the 23-year-old's level. In their current states, it would truly be a shock for the German to win this match but if he is to win a set it would likeliest be the first one. Realistically, though, this looks like a statement straight-sets victory for Djokovic as he targets another record.
