There are lots of images/GIFS in ‘The Racquet’ so it may take a while to load depending on your wifi/4g. I promise it’s worth it 😅.

NO SPOILERS 🎥

If you don't want to see the results yet, and want to catch up with the highlights, stop scrolling now! (If these links have been taken down by the ATP, tap the ‘view in browser’ button at the top of this email and there should be updated links):

Federer 🎥 Zverev

Djokovic 🎥 Anderson

RESULTS 🎾

💥 = Beatdown \\ 🤕 = Injury \\ ‼️ = Upset

(Matt: If you’re in a rush and want the quickest TL;DR of the match reports, just skim down to the ‘1st Set Summary 📊’ and ‘Match Summary 📊’ bullet points of each match.)

Zverev d Federer: 7-5, 7-6(5)

Key Moment’s & 📊’s:

1st Set: Zverev doubled faulted in his opening service game to open up a 15-30 opportunity for Federer. But a netted backhand from Fed, an un-returnable serve from Zverev, and then an ace, ensured the German started the match with a hold.

1s Set: Both guys held easily in their subsequent service games. At 2-2 Federer had landed just 3/10 1st serves, but didn’t look in any danger yet.

1st Set: Zverev, going against reputation, started the match looking looking deadly at the net, using his forehand well to set up volleys. Some brilliant cat and mouse points ensued, but Federer was the victor more often than not. Zverev then crashed back down to earth with his volleying form, wildly missing at the net, including hitting a ball that was certainly flying about 3-4 metres long. This put the German in a bit of trouble at 30-30, but he managed to come through it thanks to some more big serving. 3*-4.

1st Set: More routine holds followed, and by the time Federer was serving to stay in the set at 5*-6, Zverev had lost just 7 points on serve in the set, Federer 5.

1st Set: But with Fed serving to stay in it, Zverev found some enormous forehands. The German forced an error with a deep return for 0-15, hit an incredible pass to get to 0-30, and then once again found a nice, deep forehand to force another netted groundstroke from Federer, setting up 3 set points. A wild forehand from Federer surrendered the set to love. 7-5.

1st Set Summary📊 : A really high level set from both players, which was decided by that one game, late in the set. Both were in the high 80%’s for 1st serve points won until Federer had to serve to stay in the set at 5*-6. A couple of huge Zverev returns made the difference, putting Federer on the back foot immediately and forcing decisive errors. Federer would have liked to have made a few more of those 1st delivery’s, landing 55% for the set compared to 68% for Zverev. But it was really Zverev’s 1st serve returns in that final game that swung the set his way. Best set of tennis I have seen in a long time from Zverev.

2nd Set: At 1-1, with Zverev serving, Federer made his move to try and kickstart his comeback. The Swiss set up 0-40 thanks to a couple of Zverev errors and a wonderful inside in forehand winner (GIF below). Federer squandered the first two with bad errors, but a brilliant backhand down the line converted the break to 30. Federer lead 2*-1.

2nd Set: Zverev responded immediately, as Federer’s 1st serve faltered to dig a 0-30 hole. Zverev’s backhand return then coaxed a short ball from the Federer backhand, which Zverev put away for an easy winner: 15-40. Another stinging backhand, this time up the line, from Zverev forced another error from Federer, and we were back on serve. Federer landed just 1/5 first serves in this game. 2-2.

2nd Set: At 3-3, both guys were struggling to land 1st serves, Federer at 40%, Zverev at 46%. Both holding for now.

2nd Set: A poor approach from Federer, while serving at 3*-4, opened up an easy pass for Zverev, who jumped to a 0-30 lead. But Fed then finally landed some first serves, and along with a couple of Zverev errors, the Swiss crushed a nice forehand winner to save the game. 4-4.

2nd Set: Both players held serve easily and we headed to a tiebreak.

2nd Set Tiebreak: The first 9 points went with serve, with both players finding some 1st serves and big 1-2 punches. But that 9th point was a let off for Zverev. The German’s forehand started to look tight, dropping a few balls short, but Federer opted for defence rather than attack, and ended up setting up an easy backhand winner for the German. Federer then dumped an easy volley into the net to surrender the mini-break for 4*-6, and Zverev would have two match points (the 2nd on his serve). Fed saved the first on his serve, but Zverev converted the 2nd MP with a backhand winner, after yet another quite passive point from Federer. Zverev wins 7-5, 7-6(5).

Match Summary📊 : This was the best tennis Zverev has played since the Rome final in May 5-6 months ago. His serve was devastating, winning an impressive 38/43 (88%) 1st serve points, and a very solid 14/22 (64%) 2nd serve points. Federer also posted good numbers on both serves, winning 29/37 (78%) on 1st serve and 17/28(61%) on 2nd.

Match Summary 📊 : But the difference was really made in how the two players fared on the big points and games, rather than their overall stats. With Federer serving at 5*-6 in the 1st set, Zverev came up with some brilliant returns (off 1st and 2nd serves) to put the pressure on Federer, and set up the decisive set points. Then in the 2nd set, after going up a break, Federer landed just 1/5 first serves, which contributed to his failure to consolidate the break. Finally, with Zverev serving at 4-4 in the breaker, Federer’s shot selection was too passive, and when faced with a few tight looking Zverev forehands, the Swiss gave his opponent a mid-court backhand for an easy put away. That point was one of the 7 total points in the match that went over 9 shots, and it was telling that Federer blinked first, especially given that Zverev won 6 points to Federer’s 1 in rally’s of that length. It felt like a missed opportunity for Fed, especially as winning it would have given him 2 service points for the set. Federer then missed an easy volley at 4*-5, and that was it. Zverev was the more stable and successfully aggressive player, hitting 23 winners to 20 unforced errors, Federer with 13 winners to 20 errors. Big win, and an equally big performance, from Zverev.

Djokovic d Anderson: 6-2, 6-2 💥

Key Moment’s & 📊’s:

1st Set: Anderson was immediately in trouble, while serving in the first game of the match. 2 unforced errors in a row set up 30-40. But Djokovic uncharacteristically netted a backhand and Kando got to deuce. Another break point presented itself for Novak after he hit a nice forehand winner, and Anderson missed long with his own forehand to hand an early lead to Djokovic. Anderson made just 2/10 first serves in this tough opening game. 1*-0 Djokovic.

1st Set: Anderson was struggling once again on serve, this time at 0*-2. The South African was still failing to land 1st serves, and a couple of errors set up a break point. But a timely un-returnable serve saved it, and an ace set up a game point, which he converted. The difference in point outcome between Anderson landing a first serve and missing it, was very stark (winning 7/9 1st serve points and 3/11 2nd serve points, after 3 games).

1st Set: Anderson got into a Djokovic’s service game for the first time at 3*-2. A couple of Djokovic errors set up 15-30. But three poor unforced errors in a row from Anderson ensured Djokovic would keep his break advantage. 4-2* Djokovic.

1st Set: The errors kept on flowing from Anderson’s racquet, missing consecutive routine groundrokes to set up another break point for Djokovic at 30-40, 2*-4. Djokovic knew how erratic Anderson’s mood was and just made sure not to miss, converting the double break with another Anderson error. 5*-2. It may sound like Anderson was just handing this to Djokovic given the number of errors, but many of the errors were drawn by Novak’s reliable, deep groundies and superhuman ability to redirect pace. Djokovic served out the set to 30. Novak leads 6-2.

1st Set Summary📊 : Far too solid from Djokovic, and far too erratic from Anderson. Novak got the strategy just right, knowing that if he stayed consistent with his depth and didn’t allow Anderson to get too comfortable on top of the baseline, he’d draw enough errors. This problem was compounded for Anderson by his poor serving performance in the opening set. Anderson would routinely hit a 2nd serve and take a couple of steps inside the baseline expecting to be able to dominate the point. But Novak’s return is so good, especially off the 2nd serve, that Anderson kept finding himself hitting his 2nd shot off the back foot, while having to backtrack. This isn’t such a problem for Kando when he hits a first serve, as he’ll usually get his preferred court position inside the baseline. But the South African was landing just 48% of his 1st serves and only won 5/16 or 31% of points on 2nd serve.

2nd Set: An Anderson double fault and a wonderful Djokovic forehand set up three break points in the first game of the 2nd set. Another error from Anderson surrendered the early break and Djokovic was firmly in control, a set and a break up. 1*-0.

2nd Set: Anderson was making more first serves now (74% after the 5th game of the 2nd set), but still found himself break points down again at 1*-3. Kando saved the first one with a big serve, but succumbed to the second one after Djokovic hit back to back forehand winners after long rallies. Anderson had started to sit back far behind the baseline during their baseline exchanges (perhaps after being punished by Djokovic’s deep returns), and as a result his depth just wasn’t good enough, especially with Novak in this kind of mood. Djokovic lead 4*-1, which soon turned into 5-1* after a routine Djokovic service hold.

2nd Set: Djokovic breezed through his service game at 5*-2 to cruise into the final. Woodshed. Djokovic wins 6-2, 6-2.

Match Summary📊: A ruthless performance from Djokovic, who absolutely dismantled Anderson’s 2nd serve, and hit a very tidy 18 winners to 14 unforced errors. Kando won just 7/27 (26%) 2nd serve points for the match, and constantly had to hit his 2nd shot of the point, running backwards, as he tried to adjust to Djokovic’s consistently deep returns: GIF to illustrate:

As you can see above, Anderson’s steps forward immediately after his 2nd serve, forcing him to hit defensive groundstrokes (his biggest weakness) on the back foot, in response to Djokovic’s brilliantly deep 2nd serve returns. This dynamic was unrelenting and actually affected Anderson’s court positioning generally rather than just in his service games. Kando started to sit further behind the baseline in the 2nd set which then caused his groundies to drop shorter into Djokovic’s hit zone, hence the more aggressive, winner-happy Novak we saw at the tail end of the match. Djokovic had made Anderson doubt his Plan A to such an extent that Kando essentially threw all semblance of strategy or game-plan out the window. Novak continued his ludicrous serving performances, facing 0 break points (still unbroken for the tournament), and winning a ridiculous 75% of his 2nd serve points (+85% on 1st serve). To put this into context the leader for avg 2nd serve points won each year comes in at around 60%. Djokovic was at 91% yesterday and 75% today😲. A bad day for Anderson who didn’t play anywhere near as well as he can, missing plenty of groundstrokes that he’d normally make, and having a disappointing day on 1st serve (55%). But Djokovic was, as we are once again rapidly coming to expect, imperious.

SHOTS OF THE DAY 😮

— Zverev’s forehand was firing for the 1st set. Much better aggression from him off that wing today.

— Great 1-2 punch from Zverev.

— Both guys tried to finish plenty of shots at the net in the opening set, with Federer getting better of most of the cat and mouse points like this.

— The difference-maker in the 1st set. Zverev came up with two great returns of serve and this amazing pass to set up 3 decisive set points.

— Fantastic inside-in forehand from Federer to set up 3 break points at the beginning of the 2nd set.

— Fed crushing a forehand to get himself out of trouble on serve.

— Brilliant squash shot retrieval from Federer to keep this point alive. Fed will be a bit disappointed with both backhand pass attempts, but Zverev rode his luck.

— Big forehand from Zverev.

— Anderson with a really nice off-backhand early on.

— Djokovic’s cross court forehand was deadly today.

— When Anderson landed his 1st serve, he routinely pulled off 1-2 punches like this. The problem was that he only made his 1st serve about 50% of the time.

— A rare successful trip to the net for Anderson.

— Djokovic starting the 2nd set out with a statement forehand.

— Anderson’s 2nd serve issue. Novak just dominated that shot, forcing Anderson to hit every one of his follow-up shots on the back foot. And for a player who is only really comfortable when attacking and moving forward, that was very bad news for Kando.

— Novak starting to get comfortable on his backhand down the line.

— Djokovic starting to get VERY comfortable with his backhand down the line. Vaporises the yellow spheroid.

— At this point Anderson had started to sit back way behind the baseline and his groundies were dropping shorter and shorter. Novak just started tee’ing off.

— Way.too.good.

INTERVIEW & PRESS BEST BITS 🎤

During the Federer vs Zverev match, a point had to be replayed because a ballboy dropped the ball mid-point:👇

The O2 crowd then behaved like a bunch of idiots by booing Zverev in his on-court interview, for some perceived (read: imaginary) injustice. Zverev had no idea what to do or say:

“I apologised to Roger. I want to apologise to the crowd as well, he has a lot of fans here. From what he's achieved he deserves to have all the fans in the world. I'm sorry this happened, I didn't mean to upset anybody.” (On-court interview)

Annabelle Croft then stepped in and stood up for the slightly bewildered looking Zverev:

“I'm not sure why you're all booing... I think you have to be a little bit more respectful.” (On-court interview) (Video🎥)

Good on her.

Federer on the ballboy situation:

“I don't question Sascha at all, just wanted to be sure with the umpire about what happened, didn't know the exact rule about the situation, if the umpire didn't see it.” Source

“I don't know, the ballboy situation, if the ball rolled on court then the rules are clear. Of course, from being in the rally to being aced there's some difference (smiling).” Source

(On Zverev apologising to him at the net) '“I was like, 'Buddy, shut up. You don't need to apologize to me here. Congratulations on a great match and a great tournament so far. All the best for the finals'. And you move on. He shouldn't be apologising.” Source

“I hope he doesn't have a sleepless night. It's not a big deal at the end of the day. Whatever happened, this is life, this is sports. I'm definitely not mad at him. It's all good, you know, from my side.” Source

On his next steps as his season ends:

“The plan is to come up with a good schedule for next season.” Source

“I must tell you I'm very proud that at 37 I'm still so competitive and so happy playing tennis. From that standpoint, I mean, as disappointed as I might be about this match, if I take a step back, I'm actually very happy about the season.” Source

Fed was full of sass today. Asked whether he “needed” that 100th title:

Federer: “I don’t NEED it. I will breathe air if not.” Source

Zverev on the ballboy situation:

“Well, the ballboy dropped the ball, went for it, and that's it. Of course the booing at the end wasn't nice.” Source

“I was very upset in the locker room after. I’m not going to lie.” Source

“Eh, after I stopped the rally, I aced him, that sure didn't help the situation (laughs).” Source

“Roger is one of the greatest players of all time. He’s also one of the greatest people to have ever played on a tennis court.” Source

“True, Roger advised me to be more aggressive during Laver Cup. Maybe he shouldn't have (lols).” Source

On his opponent in the final:

“If it is Novak, now he's the best, if it is Kevin, it will be hard as well.” Source

Djokovic post-win:

Anderson post-loss:

ORDER OF PLAY - FINAL (SUNDAY) ⏰

CENTRE COURT

— (6pm UK, 1pm EST) —

🇷🇸 Djokovic vs A.Zverev 🇩🇪 (H2H: 2-1) || (Hard Court H2H: 2-0)

Prediction: Djokovic in 2

This is a monumental task for Zverev. Djokovic is playing some of his best ever tennis, on both serve and return, and looks as hungry as ever. On the bright side, Zverev played his best match of the tournament (and of the last few months) vs Federer today. The German was serving brilliantly, his forehand was firing for most of the match, and his big point play was excellent (as it has been for most of the week). He landed 66% of his 1st serves in play vs Fed, but will need higher numbers tomorrow, especially after the bloodbath that was Anderson’s 2nd serve stats, after facing Djokovic this evening. The bad news for Zverev is that his 2nd serve points won (avg) for this week is 50%, compared to Novak’s slightly ridiculous 80%. This means, that unless Djokovic has an off day on return or serve (unlikely given form), that it will be Zverev that’ll face the majority of the pressure tomorrow in his service games. 2nd serve return stats also make bad reading for the German, who has won 40% (avg) of 2nd serve return points across his matches this week, which pales in comparison to Djokovic’s 60%. What this boils down to is that Djokovic needs to do nothing special compared to what he’s already been doing this week. The Serb has already dispatched Zverev in straight sets a few days ago, and knows exactly how to play him. On the other hand, Zverev will have to have a way above avg day on 1st Serve in %, 2nd serve points won%, and 2nd serve return, to be in with a shot tomorrow. I’m expecting one close set, and then Djokovic may run away with it once he builds a lead.

EXTRAS 🔍📊🎤

— Zverev’s 1st serve has been exceptional vs Isner and, once again today, vs Federer.

And so ends a very successful season for Federer:

13 tournaments played

7 Finals (54%)

4 Titles (30%)

Year end No.3

48 wins, 10 losses

One Slam (AO), two 500’s (Rotterdam & Basel), one 250 (Stuttgart).

Keeps on trucking, keeps on winning.

— Djokovic’s impeccable depth on his backhand.

📊 Djokovic, after his demolition of Anderson today, has lost just 19 points on 1st serve, and just 13 on 2nd serve, this whole tournament. Absurd.

— I’m going to check this tomorrow, but if that form continues, he may very well hold the record for the lowest number of service points lost in an ATP tournament.

NEW BALLS PLEASE 👀

— Mirka

— Incredible doubles point today between Sock/Bryan and Murray/Soares. They keep the ball SO low throughout.

— The ballgirl is singles wins in 2018.

GAME, SET, MATCH 👋

— The Racquet is created, and written, by Matt.

— You can find me on Twitter here.

See you tomorrow for the Final!

Cover image credit to ATP World Tour Twitter