ATP Finals in Turin, Final, Sunday
One last time will be served, one last time returned, one last time a very big title will be awarded. The tennis year 2021 comes to an end with a grand final in Turin. And without the world number 1, Novak Djokovic!
The final will feature two players who have probably inflicted the Serb’s two worst defeats this year: Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev! One of them will snatch his second ATP Finals title on Sunday evening. Are the bookmakers right in their assessment to favour the Russian?
Jeven three matches into the preliminary round and a semi-final, now Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev face the final coup of the year. Both are in the final of the ATP Finals for the second time in their careers!
For the German, it is THE chance to finally defeat his fearful opponent. Because this Russian doesn’t suit him at all. Since the Masters in Paris 2020, five duels have taken place, all of which were lost by the Germans.
This will be the third final in which the duo will face each other. The record: 2:0 for Medvedev. Alexander Zverev’s fans will remember: In the last few weeks, the two have met twice.
In Paris, right before the finals, Medvedev easily strolled into the next round with a 6-2, 6-2. The most recent duel took place in the preliminary round in Turin. 3-6, 7-6, 6-7 – Zverev had his opponent on the brink of defeat.
It is also this match that should encourage his supporters, because: When the 24-year-old stood at the top three years ago, he had lost to Novak Djokovic in the group stage.
And in the final? That’s right, he beat the Djoker! So why exactly shouldn’t that work against Medvedev this time? In the preliminary round, the Olympic champion still showed light and shade. Against Matteo Berrettini he moved on after a 7-6, the Italian retired injured.
After the narrow defeat against Medvedev, the Hamburg native had his nerves under control and beat Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-4. We briefly recall the Tokyo Olympics.
A few months ago, Zverev delivered his masterpiece by beating Novak Djokovic in three sets in the semi-finals before winning the gold medal. Want a repeat? The betting friends hope so from the German point of view!
7-6, 4-6, 6-3 – for the second time this year, Zverev defeated the world number one in a high-class semifinal. Only four double faults in the tournament, a usual strong first serve, Zverev could crown his strong year.
That his fearful opponent, of all people, is now waiting should be fear and motivation at the same time. Daniil Medvedev has definitely not had a worse year in 2021, the crowning glory of course being the triumph at the US Open.
So Novak Djokovic they can both beat, but who wants the crown more at the Finals? It has been exactly 364 days since the Russian beat Dominic Thiem in three sets to win the title.
Critics accuse him of having had a very easy draw in Turin. He needed a third set against Hubert Hurkacz 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, just as he did against Alexander Zverev a little later.
Jannik Sinner, who had stepped in for the injured Stefanos Tsitsipas, also took a set from him. The 6-0, 6-7, 7-6 showed that even Medvedev is getting a little tired.
He finally rallied again in the semi-finals, having no problems in a 6-4, 6-2 win over Casper Ruud. Like Zverev, the Russian is a damn strong server, in the entire finals he only gave his opponents nine break chances.
But the fact that he only came through once in two sets should not go unnoticed either. Nevertheless, the bookmakers obviously attach great importance to the direct comparison, because they see Medvedev clearly in front.
1.50 to 2.50 – Zverev is the underdog! But he was also the underdog against Djokovic, so these odds should not be too important to him.
No world No. 1 and yet an absolutely worthy final – Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev both deserved the title after very strong years.
And yet: a final is always a different situation. Whoever knocks out Novak Djokovic in three sets also has what it takes to win against Medvedev. I wouldn’t put it past Zverev to take revenge, because in 2018 he also managed the feat of first losing to Djokovic and then winning.
Both serve extremely well, but also show one or two mistakes. In that respect, I can imagine both of them as winners, except for one thing: a quick, one-sided endgame.
My tip therefore: It will be more than 21.5 games!
