Novak Djokovic is 38 years-old but he keeps beating the best players in the world. The Serbian rallied past Germany’s Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to reach his 13th Roland Garros and 51st Grand Slam semifinal on Wednesday.
The sixth seed lost the opening set but bounced back to take the next three and the match. In the fourth set, Djokovic saved a break point after winning an astonishing 41-shot rally. The three-time French Open champion smashed a cross court forehand with Zverev coming to the net.
Djokovic revealed his tactics were to play drop shots in the fourth set and thus he attempted three-four in a row.
“Especially during the last game, my tactic was just to play drop shots,” said Djokovic. “So I played three or four in a row… Maybe you can’t see it on TV, but there is a lot of wind from one side, so it gives the sensation that you must hit twice as hard. It was important to vary the game.”
Djokovic said he still plays at the elite level for moments like this when he wins against the top-rated players.
“Evidently there was a lot of pressure at the end, Zverev has been one of the best players in the world over the past six years,” said Djokovic. “Matches like this tonight are the reason why I still want to play and compete.”
On the other hand, Zverev feels Djokovic is a bit underrated as the 24-time Slam champion is still winning consistently on the tour.
“I think at the moment he’s a bit underrated, to be honest,” Zverev said. “Funny that you say that, but I think like a lot of people count him out already, but this year he’s had wins over Carlos at the Australian Open, he has had a win over me at the French Open. Forget the age. I think for any player, those are pretty good results.”
Djokovic will take on World No.1 Jannik Sinner in a blockbuster semifinal on Friday.
