ATP Finals 2018: 5 Talking points from Alexander Zverev's stunning win over Novak Djokovic

In one of the most interesting matches ever seen at the ATP Finals, Alexander Zverev followed up his semifinal win over Roger Federer by defeating Novak Djokovic in the final to clinch the title. Djokovic was handed his second defeat by the 21-year-old German, who became the youngest winner of the tournament since Djokovic himself, back in 2008.

Zverev finished the year placed fourth in the ATP rankings, and also picked up his fourth title of 2018.

Djokovic had fallen outside the top 20 in the first half of the season. However, after performing extraordinarily at the US Open and Wimbledon, he was able to get back his number one ranking. He was hoping to finish the year on a high with his sixth ATP Finals crown, only to be defeated by the third seed Zverev.

Zverev was able to keep up the pace in the long rallies; Djokovic failed to tire his opponent the way he usually does. Some unforced errors caused him to lag behind in the match, and Zverev was able to maintain his lead by serving brilliantly.

This match is significant in the history of tennis for various reasons: Zverev is the first ever player to beat both Federer and Djokovic at the same ATP Finals. He also beat the top two seeds in the semifinals and finals for the first time since Andre Agassi accomplished the feat in 1990. At 21 years and 6 months is the youngest player to win the ATP Finals since 2008, and he is the first German winner since Boris Becker in 1995.

Here are the five biggest talking points from the 10th edition of the season finale in London’s O2 Arena as tennis looks ahead to the next year.

#5 Zverev outplays Djokovic in unexpected ways

Nitto ATP Finals - Day Eight: Zverev surpassed everyone's expectations

Djokovic did not expect what was coming. He was taken aback by Zverev’s relentless power and consistency during Sunday’s final. The Serb admitted, “You definitely played much better than you had in the group stage” during the presentation ceremony.

In the group stage match four days earlier, Djokovic had won 6-4 6-1. While Zverev rebounded to stun Federer in the semifinal, no one thought that he would end up smashing his way past Djokovic too.

Most strikingly, Zverev outlasted Djokovic in the baseline rallies, often eliciting errors from the usually rock-solid Serb. This was completely contrary to what most people anticipated before the match, and showed how greatly the German had progressed with his consistency.

#4 Zverev's supersonic serving and returning

Nitto ATP Finals - Day Eight: Djokovic lost his serve 3 times

Zverev out-served Djokovic by hammering down 10 aces and losing his serve just once. Surprisingly though, he also out-returned Djokovic by breaking him as many as four times!

Djokovic hadn’t lost a single set all the way up to the final. But a stray netted forehand turned into a series of unforced errors and gave Zverev the advantage. After being broken for the first time in the tournament, Djokovic looked shaken. That was when his game started sliding downhill

Zverev’s true test was in keeping his nerves and serves steady to wrap up the first set. He closed with three aces and a couple of short rallies, showing everyone that he wasn't about to break down in the face of pressure.

#3 Djokovic’s game falls apart

Nitto ATP Finals - Day Eight: Below Par Serves

At the beginning of the week, Djokovic was the undoubted hot favorite to win the tournament. Everyone expected him to demolish the opposition with his error-free game.

What we didn't expect was how quickly his game would unravel after getting broken in the first set. Djokovic looked mentally worn out as the points slipped past him, and his serve was below par. Moreover, he made multiple unforced errors off the ground, which was very uncharacteristic.

“From 4-4 in the first set, my game fell apart. But if we put things in perspective it has been an amazing year and a great comeback,” Djokovic said.

#2 Time for Zverev to come good at the Slams?

Nitto ATP Finals - Day Eight: Zverev reacts to his Victory over Djokovic

There’s a lot of talk about Zverev’s chances at the Grand Slams. He won the final against Djokovic in one hour and 19 minutes, always looking at ease, but best-of-five sets will be a different ball game.

That said, Zverev didn't seem to tire as quickly and easily as expected by Djokovic, which is a definite sign of improvement. In the recent past he has faded away towards the finish line in best-of-five-set matches, so he can use this victory as a foundation to perform more consistently at the Slams.

He reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros this year, where he lost to Dominic Thiem. He will need to strategize better in future Slams so that he conserves his energy for the touch challenges at the business end.

#1 Both Djokovic and Zverev have immense respect for each other

Nitto ATP Finals - Day Eight: A moment of mutual appreciation

Djokovic commended Zverev’s performance and said, “There’s a lot of similarities in terms of the trajectory of professional tennis in our careers. Hopefully, he can surpass me. I mean, I sincerely wish him that.”

However, Zverev said, “I hope I can do great. But just chill out a little bit. I mean, I’ve won one of those. He won five. He’s won, I don’t know what, 148 titles more than me. Let’s not go there for now.”

It's obvious that there is a lot of mutual respect and admiration between these two champions. We all have a strong feeling that Djokovic and Zverev are looking forward to the challenge of playing against each other again.