ATP Finals 2021: Alexander Zverev to face Novak Djokovic in Turin
Germany’s Alexander Zverev will face world number one Novak Djokovic in the ATP Finals last four after a straight-set win over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev will face world number one Novak Djokovic in the ATP Finals last four after a straight-set win over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
Hubert Hurkacz has surprised some in the tennis world with his breakthrough season, which included a maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at the Miami Open presented by Itau and a trip to the Wimbledon semi-finals. But fellow Pole Wojtek Fibak, a former Top 10 star in singles and doubles, is not surprised.
This week Hurkacz became the second player from Poland to compete in singles at the Nitto ATP Finals, joining Fibak, who made the championship match at the event in 1976. Fibak is thrilled with the state of tennis in his country given the rise of Hurkacz and WTA star Iga Swiatek.
“We have these two diamonds. It’s like one in a million at the same time,” Fibak told ATPTour.com. “There are not that many countries with a man and woman [at this level]. You have Nadal and Muguruza [in Spain], Tsitsipas and Sakkari [in Greece]. It’s amazing… It’s unique, it’s a blessing. After I finished playing, no Polish player played at Wimbledon for 20 years. Twenty years! After [Agnieszka] Radwanska retired, boom, they came!”
Photo Credit: Wojtek Fibak
After Hurkacz defeated Denis Kudla in the second round in Miami this year, Fibak declared to the Polish press that Hurkacz would win the tournament. It was a bold statement considering he had never made it past the quarter-finals at a Masters 1000 event.
“Everybody said Wojtek is out of his mind!” he recalled.
But it proved prophetic, as Hurkacz has gone on to great success in 2021. In October, the 24-year-old cracked the Top 10 in the FedEx ATP Rankings for the first time.
“Hubert is an all-around player. He’s phenomenal on defence, he’s excellent attacking, has a great backhand, great forehand, big serve, great return. He doesn’t miss when he doesn’t have to,” Hurkacz said. “The only thing now with Hubert if I would say one weakness is when there is pressure that he has to win a match and he is a big favourite, he has problems with that. That’s how the road to the [Nitto ATP Finals], there were a couple of very tense matches.”
Even so, Hurkacz has tested the best players in the world in recent weeks. The Pole battled Novak Djokovic into a final-set tie-break in the semi-finals of the Rolex Paris Masters and pushed Daniil Medvedev deep into a third set in the first match of Red Group play this week in Turin.
“The way he played against Medvedev, the way he played Djokovic in Paris, right now he’s No. 4 on hard courts right after Djokovic, Medvedev, Zverev and then it’s Hubert,” Fibak said.
Fibak is very supportive of Hurkacz, consistently watching his matches. This week, he is in Turin to cheer on his countryman.
“I think everybody loves him for being so polite and so kind. I’ve given hundreds of interviews by now over the past three or four years about Hubert. I was the first to call him the Polish Andy Murray four years ago because of the way he walks and being a bit phlegmatic also,” Fibak said. “I said there’s a phenomenal talent hidden there. Today a lot of people are not convinced that Hubert is so good, because he doesn’t have such an explosive personality. He’s not Italian, French, British or American.
“Being Polish, he’s not so well-known even though he’s a Wimbledon semi-finalist and won Miami. He’s not a household name yet worldwide, in Poland he is. He’s a bit shy, he’s modest, he has a quiet personality. He’s not coming up with some lines. But he’s a phenomenal player.”
Fibak is certainly happy with how Hurkacz is carrying the torch of Polish tennis. This is Hubi’s first Nitto ATP Finals appearance, and all signs point towards there being plenty more to come.
“I’m really proud that a Polish guy has such soft hands, such feeling for the ball,” Fibak said. “He is a great player to watch, he’s correct, he’s a gentleman, always full of fairness. I can only speak in superlatives about Hubert.”
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Third seed Alexander Zverev is one win away from returning to the Nitto ATP Finals semi-finals, but there’s a lot more at stake on Thursday as Hubert Hurkacz and Jannik Sinner are also bidding to extend their stay in Turin.
The German will take on seventh seed Hurkacz with the fate of the Red Group hanging on the line. With defending champion Daniil Medvedev already safely through to the semi-finals, there’s one spot left in the final four – and Zverev, Hurkacz and Sinner can all make a play on it.
For Olympic gold medalist Zverev, the mission is simple: win and he’s in. The 2018 champion has yet to post a statement victory in Turin, and his win-loss record sits at 1-1 after his opening matches. He won via retirement against an injured Matteo Berrettini, and narrowly lost in three sets to Medvedev, but he still favours his chances in the event.
[FOLLOW FINALS]“This is not like any other tournament. I am in the tournament still, I still have a chance to win the tournament and this is what I’m thinking to myself,” Zverev said on Tuesday. “Of course, I wanted to win [against Medvedev], there’s no doubt about it, I lost 8/6 in a third-set tie-break. But the tournament isn’t done yet.”
It’s a position he has been in before: Zverev owns the longest streak of consecutive appearances at the Nitto ATP Finals among active players and is the second-most experienced competitor in the eight-man field behind Novak Djokovic.
During his title-winning run in 2018, Zverev similarly arrived at his last round-robin match with a 1-1 record after winning over Marin Cilic and losing to Djokovic. Back then, the German found a way to overpower John Isner in straight sets to send him into the semi-finals.
[WATCH LIVE 1]He’ll be hoping for more of the same against Hurkacz on Thursday. Zverev owns a 1-0 lead in the ATP Head2Head against Hurkacz, but a lot has changed since that three-set match in Madrid in 2019.
“I’m ready to play Hubi on Thursday, and I think that will be the deciding match for me,” Zverev said. “I’m excited, I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s all in my hands, kind of.”
After a career-best season, Hurkacz might be making his final stand in Turin at the Pala Alpitour hoping to turn around his 0-2 group stage record – and blow the door wide open for himself, and possibly Sinner, to qualify for the semi-finals.
If the Pole can defeat Zverev, he can go through if Medvedev defeats Sinner, although the Italian can advance if Zverev and he defeats Medvedev. Hurkacz is still seeking the first win of his Turin debut after falling to Medvedev in three sets and then suffering a one-sided loss against alternate Sinner.
After rocking the Pala Alpitour with an unforgettable Nitto ATP Finals debut, 20-year-old Sinner is looking to keep the run going as he attempts to become the first alternate to reach the semi-finals in the event’s 52-year-history.
He will be facing steep uphill climb against defending champion Medvedev. Sinner is 0-8 in matches against the Top 5 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, including an 0-2 ATP Head2Head against Medvedev – both matches took place on the indoor hard courts of Marseille.
“Of course, you want to go on to the semi-finals, you’re trying to do your best, but on the other hand, these are the best eight players in the world. And with me, nine,” Sinner said. “Everyone is tough to beat here, so let’s see what’s coming.”
Regardless of the result against Sinner, Medvedev is already through to the semi-finals. The Russian is seeking to become the first player to win back-to-back Nitto ATP Finals titles since Djokovic won four straight between 2012 and 2015.
In doubles, fourth seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos are one win away from the semi-finals as they take on eighth seeds Kevin Krawietz and Horia Tecau. Top seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic will face sixth seeds Ivan Dodig and FIlip Polasek – both teams come into the match with a 1-1 record in the Green Group.
ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2021
CENTRE COURT start 11:30 am
[4] M. Granollers (ESP) / H. Zeballos (ARG) vs [8] K. Krawietz (GER) / H. Tecau (ROU)
Not Before 2:00 pm
[3] A. Zverev (GER) vs [7] H. Hurkacz (POL)
Not Before 6:30 pm
[1] N. Mektic (CRO) / M. Pavic (CRO) vs [6] I. Dodig (CRO) / F. Polasek (SLO)
Not Before 9:00 pm
[2] D. Medvedev (RUS) vs [Alt/9] J. Sinner (ITA)
See below semi-final qualification scenarios in play for both groups at the Nitto ATP Finals:
Singles Red Group qualification scenarios as of Thursday, 18 November:
Following Berrettini’s withdrawal, Medvedev has qualified for the semi-finals and won the group.
– Zverev qualifies on Thursday if he defeats Hurkacz (any score).
– Hurkacz qualifies on Thursday if he defeats Zverev and Medvedev defeats Sinner.
– Sinner qualifies on Thursday if he defeats Medvedev and Hurkacz defeats Zverev.
Singles Green Group qualification scenarios as of Thursday, 18 November:
After defeating Rublev in straight sets, Djokovic has qualified for the semi-finals and won the group.
– Rublev qualifies on Friday if he defeats Ruud.
– Ruud qualifies on Friday if he defeats Rublev.
– Norrie cannot advance to the semi-finals.
Despite suffering defeat on his Nitto ATP Finals debut on Wednesday, Cameron Norrie revealed that he loved the experience of competing at the Pala Alpitour in Turin and was happy with his performance against Casper Ruud.
The 26-year-old is the second alternate at the season finale and only had hours to prepare for his Green Group match after he replaced Stefanos Tsitsipas, who withdrew due to an elbow injury.
“I enjoyed every second out there and I was feeling good in practise and was ready to play and compete,” said Norrie. “I came out firing and loved the match. It just came down to a couple games in the second and third sets. I was really happy with my level.
“This week has been incredible for me so far. I was using it as a training block heading into the Davis Cup, so [it is] a bonus to get a couple if matches in here. It is huge for the experience.”
[FOLLOW FINALS]The Briton has enjoyed a breakthrough 2021 season, earning a career-best 50 tour-level wins. Norrie captured his first tour-level title at the Mifel Open in Los Cabos in August and claimed his maiden ATP Masters 1000 crown at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last month.
The lefty stated that the success and experience he has gained this year helped him on his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals.
“It was one of the biggest matches for my career, so I just tried to learn from Indian Wells and take from that the experience, the emotions, playing big matches and playing well under the pressure there,” said Norrie. “It has been a lot of fun playing at this level and playing at this level all year.
“I was really happy with how I handled the match [with Ruud] and how I approached it. I was basically out there playing for free as the second alternate. I had nothing to lose and I came out firing. All credit to Casper, that is the best I have ever seen him serve.”
Norrie will face Green Group winner Novak Djokovic in his final match on Friday. The 26-year-old has played Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at majors this season, but has never met the World No. 1 before. It is an opportunity Norrie is relishing.
“I can’t wait,” Norrie said. “I have never played Novak before or practised with him, so it is a first for me. I am looking forward to it. I watched him today and he is firing and really feeling the ball well. He is really good in these conditions. It is quite quick the court. It is going to be difficult, but I am looking forward to it. I am going to see if I belong and can compete with a guy like that.”
Casper Ruud recovered from a set down against Cameron Norrie at the Nitto ATP Finals on Wednesday to keep his hopes of making the semi-finals alive. After a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory, the Norwegian will attempt to record his first win in his fifth ATP Head2Head meeting over Andrey Rublev on Friday.
“I played against him a couple of times and never was able to beat him,” Ruud said. “But I will, of course, try my best to bring something new to the table on Friday and challenge him in a different way than I’ve done before, because previously it hasn’t been working as I’ve wanted.
“But it will be a fun challenge. He’s a nice guy, we know each other well and he always plays with such high intensity. So I hope to do the same.”
Ruud, the first Norwegian to play at the Nitto ATP Finals, lost his opening match 7-6(4), 6-2 to Novak Djokovic on Monday. Djokovic went on to secure his place in the semi-finals after beating Rublev on Wednesday.
[FOLLOW FINALS]Anticipating a match against Stefanos Tsitsipas, Ruud had to make a rapid adjustment when the Greek star withdrew from the season finale, which is being played at the Pala Alpitour in Turin.
Ruud dropped just two games when he and Norrie met for the first time in the final of the San Diego Open earlier this year, but Wednesday’s clash was a much more closely contested affair. Ruud was able to turn things around after losing the first set, and credited his serve as the key to his comeback.
“I think I did better in the second and third [sets] because I didn’t [make] so many unforced errors, and I was also serving much better,” said Ruud. “The serve helped me a lot today,
“On this surface, when it’s so fast, it’s a very important shot. Probably the most important shot during the matches is to have a good serve, because you get a lot of free points, and that was key today.”
Ruud ended the match with 10 aces and he lost only two points behind his first serve in both the second and third sets.
“Everything changed a little bit with the momentum after a couple of points that went my way in the 4-3 game in the second set,” said Ruud. “Cameron maybe made some unforced errors that helped me a little bit to get the break. It’s a point or two that can turn a match around and I’m very happy that it ended up going my way today.”
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Daniil Medvedev, who is the defending champion at the Nitto ATP Finals, has already guaranteed himself a spot in this year’s semi-finals after clinching the top spot in the Red Group at the Pala Alpitour.
The Russian is trying to become the first player to win consecutive titles at the season finale since Novak Djokovic triumphed in four straight editions from 2012-15.
ATPTour.com caught up with the World No. 2 to learn about his run to the trophy last year, how he is enjoying Turin and what his favourite Italian food is.
What sticks out to you from your run to the Nitto ATP Finals title last year?
The biggest memories were the semi-finals and the final. Of course I remember every match, every match was tough. But in the semi-finals I was down, Rafa [Nadal] served for the match.
I remember I felt like I was playing good. I was in great shape, I’d just won Paris. I was standing there and I was like, ‘Am I really going to lose like this 4 and 4 and just go back home?’ Home was close. It was the last tournament of the year, so I didn’t want to finish in this way and I was just happy I managed to break through, because you’re not going to make it [back] all the time, especially against somebody like Rafa.
In the final against against Dominic [Thiem] it was the same. He was completely dominating me for a big part of the match. I think either at 3-3 or 4-4 he had some break points and I remember one he had, it was kind of an easy forehand in a way. I was at the net, and he missed it. But that’s what tennis is about.
I managed to win both matches, they were two-and-a-half hours, two hours and 45 minutes. These two matches stay in my memory because they make the title even sweeter.
Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
What do you think about the tournament’s move from London to Turin?
It’s definitely different. It’s a different city, a different venue. You need time to get used to it. I feel like the first few days it’s always not easy when you come to any tournament you play for the first time.
Everybody is asking me how I feel as the defending champion. I’m always answering that I feel like there is no defending champion. It’s just a new champion in a new city, which is Torino. I really have enjoyed it so far, especially because I’m playing well. I hope for more.
How special are the Italian fans?
The Italian fans are passionate. We have a queue in front of our hotel no matter if it’s raining or sunny. Of course a little bit more when it’s sunny! That shows how passionate they are about tennis. I think we try to give back to them [to thank them].
What is your favourite Italian food?
To be honest I like so much Italian food, but I will have to go with panna cotta because I like sweets and it’s definitely very good in Italy. I took it two or three times before the tournament because during the tournament I don’t eat sweets.
Andrey Rublev acknowledged the emotional impact playing Novak Djokovic for the first time had on his performance after losing 6-3, 6-2 in Turin on Wednesday.
Rublev opened his Nitto ATP Finals campaign with an impressive 6-4, 6-4 victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Monday. But despite recording an early break of serve, the World No. 5 found himself increasingly outpaced by Djokovic, who finished the match with flair to win the Green Group.
“I don’t know how nervous I was because I was not thinking about it. Today was still a lot of emotions and I could feel it during the rallies,” Rublev said.
“Because it looks like everything is fine, it looks like I’m playing some good rallies, but then suddenly I’m making so many unusual mistakes, easy, from positions that normally I’m playing well and hitting hard from. Today I was missing a lot… It means I was rushing too much today.”
Just look at court coverage ?
How does one defeat @DjokerNole⁉#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/smdrYGUv8w
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 17, 2021
Djokovic’s relentless defence was on full display at the Pala Alpitour on Wednesday, with Rublev frequently pulling the trigger too early in rallies throughout the 68-minute match.
“I was rushing a bit, overthinking a bit,” Rublev admitted. “Because every time I was thinking ‘OK, now I have a chance to attack, now I have a chance to lead the point’. You think through the next two, three, four shots and then in the end you don’t even make this one, you know? And normally you just shoot and you don’t think.”
Rublev counts wins over Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Roger Federer among the 13 Top 10 victories of his career so far. But curiously, both his previous matches against players ranked World No. 1 – against Andy Murray at the 2017 Australian Open and Nadal at the US Open the same year – have seen him net just five games, the same number he won against Djokovic today.
[FOLLOW FINALS]“This is normal, I have to pass through this experience. I’ve been through this when I was playing my first meeting against Andy, against Rafa, and it always takes time,” Rublev said.
“You need to play a couple of matches like this to feel your opponent and feel that you can compete with the best players. It takes time… Now is the time to take a lesson from this match and to give my best for the next match.”
The mental and emotional challenges Rublev will face in his next match should be of a different order. Friday’s opponent Casper Ruud is a player against whom Rublev has every reason to feel confident – the Russian has won all four of their previous meetings. But with a place in the semi-finals of the Nitto ATP Finals on the line, the stakes will be high.
“I expect it’s going to be a physical match, a mental match, because Casper, he is really strong physically,” Rublev said. “He plays really aggressive, he is really great from the baseline. You need to play long rallies with him, you need to run a lot, so it’s going to be this kind of match.”
