World no. 2 Novak Djokovic will compete in his 57th Masters 1000 final in Cincinnati following a hard-fought triumph over Alexander Zverev. Novak prevailed over Alexander 7-6, 7-5 in two hours and four minutes, beating the German for the eighth time from 12 encounters. They met for the first time since the 2021 ATP Finals, and Zverev gave everything to follow Djokovic’s pace. The German followed the Serb’s pace behind the first set but lost the ground on the second, losing serve two times from six chances offered to a two-time Cincinnati champion. Novak defended three out of four break points and prevailed in the pivotal moments to emerge at the top and set the title clash versus Carlos Alcaraz! They fired 59 service winners and had the same number of winners from the field. Djokovic stayed on 29 unforced errors, while Zverev counted 37. Novak had a slight edge in the shortest, mid-range and most extended exchanges, winning six points more than Alexander and moving into the title clash against world no. 1.
Novak Djokovic took down Alexander Zverev in two tight sets in Cincinnati.
Djokovic experienced three break points already in the encounter’s first game, offering Zverev only one more by the end of the duel. The Serb stayed calm and came from 40-0 down to bring the game home and avoid an early setback. Alexander found the rhythm behind the initial shot right on, serving well and firing a forehand winner in game eight to level the score at 4-4. The German served to prolong the set at 4-5 and experienced the first issues behind his initial shot. Alexander squandered game points and played against three set points. He saved them with good hitting, getting out of jail and holding with a forehand winner for 5-5. The set went into a tie break, and Novak grabbed an early mini-break in the third point. The Serb served well and opened a 6-3 gap, with three set points up for grabs.
Zverev saved the opening two on his serve before Djokovic seized the third with a service winner, securing the opener after an hour and 12 minutes. With a boost on his side, Novak clinched an early break in the second set and held at 15 in the next one for 2-0. They served well in the following seven games, with Djokovic having a chance to emerge at the top on his serve at 5-4. Alexander stayed competitive, earning his first break point since the encounter’s first game. He seized it after Novak’s forehand error to level the score at 5-5 and extend his chances. Djokovic stayed focused and secured another break in the 11th game after forcing the rival’s error, serving for the victory for the second time at 6-5. The Serb held at 15 to emerge at the top and reach his 57th Masters 1000 final, the eighth in Cincinnati.