The 2018 ATP Tour long season finally came to an end yesterday with the culmination of the ATP Tour Finals at the O2 in London and for the second year running it produce a surprise winner and possibly a potential changing of the guard at the top of the men’s game over the next twelve months. Djokovic looked like he was going to cruise to a sixth ATP Tour finals title as he reached the final without losing or dropping a set and had already beaten his final opponent Zverev in the group stages in straight sets.

However, there is never such a sure thing in any sport and the way Zverev beat Federer in Saturday’s semis, compared to his loss against Djokovic earlier in the week, was like chalk and cheese. It’s safe to say new coach Lendl had a big hand in the 21-year-old’s significant new found focus and improvement in such a short time, and the way he took on board that advice and responsibility and put in to action against Federer was particularly impressive.

Zverev continued where he left off against Federer in yesterday’s final against hot favourite and world number one Djokovic, and the young German’s serving in the first set was bordering on phenomenal. The performance was made more impressive as Djokovic is the best returner of serve the game has ever seen, but even he could not make any in roads. The constant pressure and frustration soon lead to the five time champion tamely losing his service and the set at 4-6 and with Zverev not letting up in the second set this was soon over after an early break by Zverev who served it out to win 6-4 6-3 and in turn landed the biggest title of his young and very successful career.

Selections:

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