Alexander Zverev: Novak Djokovic showed he is No. 1 for a reason

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

World No. 4 Alexander Zverev thought he left it all on the court against Novak Djokovic and acknowledged that there's a reason why the Serb is ranked at No. 1 in the world. Zverev, who was bidding to make back-to-back finals at the US Open, fell short to Djokovic in five sets as the Serb won 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-2 to progress into the US Open final.

After losing the fourth set, Djokovic started the fifth set with a 5-0 lead and there was no way back for Zverev. "It was a great battle. Kind of a little bit disappointed with the start of the fifth set. To be honest, apart from that, it was a good match.

I think we both left it all out there," Zverev said. "Yeah, I mean, the second break in the fifth set was so ridiculously unlucky that it sometimes happen. But he's No. 1 in the world for a reason and he showed that tonight."

Zverev thought he had no chance on his break points

Djokovic saved 9-of-12 of the break points faced, while Zverev saved only three of nine of the break points faced.

"Look, we didn't give each other anything, so that naturally happens. It was a set point, as well. Physically, to be honest, I felt fine. I felt okay. I felt like I could have played on," Zverev noted. "What was in the match, yeah, the fifth set, the beginning, I played not great.

The second break, as I said, was extremely unlucky I thought. But one thing that was very good from him is how he served on breakpoints. I mean, most of the time I didn't have a chance. That was the big difference tonight. "I feel like every time it was an important moment, he came out with massive serves. Yeah, didn't go into the rally."