Stat of the Day: Alexander Zverev is now 3-2 against No. 1s at the ATP Finals

Alexander Zverev’s grueling 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3 victory over Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the ATP Finals on Saturday not only gave him the distinction of becoming the first (and maybe only) player to beat Djokovic twice this year, but it also meant he now has a winning record against No. 1s at the ATP Finals:

ZVEREV VS NO. 1s AT THE ATP FINALS: 3-2 (4-7 across all events):
~ l. to No. 1 Nadal in 2018 Davis Cup RR, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4
~ l. to No. 1 Djokovic in 2018 ATP Finals RR, 6-4, 6-1
~ d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2018 ATP Finals F, 6-4, 6-3
~ l. to No. 1 Djokovic in 2019 Roland Garros QFs, 7-5, 6-2, 6-2
~ d. No. 1 Nadal in 2019 ATP Cup RR, 6-2, 6-4
~ l. to No. 1 Djokovic in 2020 ATP Finals RR, 6-3, 7-6 (4)
~ l. to No. 1 Djokovic in 2021 ATP Cup RR, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 7-5
~ l. to No. 1 Djokovic in 2021 Australian Open QFs, 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (6)
~ d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2021 Olympics SFs, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1
~ l. to No. 1 Djokovic in 2021 US Open SFs, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
~ d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2021 ATP Finals SFs, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3

Also, it’s already been rare for anyone to beat Djokovic this year—only six players have done it—but Zverev is the first to do it twice.

THE ONLY PLAYERS TO BEAT DJOKOVIC THIS YEAR (6 players, 7 times):
~ Evans (d. Djokovic in Monte Carlo 3rd Rd, 6-4, 7-5)
~ Karatsev (d. Djokovic in Belgrade-1 SFs, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4)
~ Nadal (d. Djokovic in Rome F, 7-5, 1-6, 6-3)
~ Zverev (d. Djokovic in Olympics SFs, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1)
~ Carreno Busta (d. Djokovic in Olympics BMM, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3)
~ Medvedev (d. Djokovic in US Open F, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4)
~ Zverev (d. Djokovic in ATP Finals SFs, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3)

Djokovic still has a winning record of 3-2 against Zverev this year, beating the German at the ATP Cup, the Australian Open and the US Open.