Tennis
2021-09-10 - Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
Tennis: US Open Semi Final
Friday 10th September 2021 - Scheduled 7pm
(12am British Time)
Preview
Two more wins will place Novak Djokovic alongside some of the biggest names of the sport as he looks to complete the calendar Grand Slam, but the matches left for him should present some problems. It would be foolish for the World Number 1 to think about anything but this Semi Final as he takes on Alexander Zverev, the Olympic Champion who crushed Djokovic in the Semi Final in Tokyo and ended any hopes for the Golden Slam to be completed.
These two players also met in the Australian Open Quarter Final, but on that occasion it was Novak Djokovic who worked his way through in four sets. However, the match was an incredibly close one and Alexander Zverev will feel he had enough chances to at least find himself in a fifth set and eventually earn his place in the Semi Final at the expense of the World Number 1.
The first two matches between these players on the hard courts were dominated by Novak Djokovic, but since then they have been much more competitive and Djokovic only leads 3-2. In a couple of those defeats, Alexander Zverev will feel he had the better of the tennis on the day and was guilty of missing his opportunities to win those matches.
We have to expect something similar here and much is going to depend on how clinical Alexander Zverev can be when the big points are played. That has let him down against Novak Djokovic in some of their big matches, but the win in Tokyo should give Alexander Zverev plenty of confidence ahead of this big Semi Final.
Both players have been serving really well in this tournament, but Novak Djokovic has to be given a slight edge with his returning numbers and I do think that is where the difference will be made on the day. There is very little between their hard court numbers in 2021, but it is Novak Djokovic who has been able to get a bit more out of his serve and I do think the World Number 1 is going to find a way to earn a shot at history by playing for the calendar Grand Slam on Sunday.
Novak Djokovic has been dropping sets in this tournament and I do think it would be a massive surprise if either of these players are able to win this Semi Final in straight sets. With both serving effectively in the conditions, we should see four competitive sets and I think the two players will combine to cover the total games line set in this match.
Their match at the Australian Open saw the two players combine for 44 games and I do think this is a Semi Final that could go long too. Even a four set match should be enough to surpass the total games line, but I would not be surprised if we need a decider this time between two players in confident form and producing some very strong tennis in New York City.
Prediction
Look for the two players to combine and surpass the game line.
The Pick :
Novak Djokovic 3-1 Alexander Zverev
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 38.5 Total Games at 1.87 with BetVictor
