US Open, men’s SF preview: Djokovic, Zverev set for Olympics rematch; Medvedev faces Auger-Aliassime

Novak Djokovic’s quest for the first men’s singles Calendar Grand Slam in 52 years and record-breaking 21st Major reaches its penultimate hurdle on Friday in a US Open.

But his semi-final showdown is toughest test so far, a rematch Tokyo Olympic champion Alexander Zverev. It was German fourth seed Zverev who ended top-ranked Djokovic’s bid for a Golden Slam with a fightback July semi-final triumph in Tokyo. Both men are girding for an epic rematch at Arthur Ashe Stadium as history looms for men’s tennis.

Djokovic is 6-3 against Zverev, who is on a 16-match win streak while Djokovic has won 26 straight Slam matches.

HEAD TO HEAD

Djokovic leads 6-3

2017 Rome Clay F Zverev 6-4, 6-3

2018 Shanghai Hard SF Djokovic 6-2, 6-1

2018 ATP Finals Hard RR Djokovic 6-4, 6-1

2018 ATP Finals Hard F Zverev 6-4, 6-3

2019 French Open Clay QF Djokovic 7-5, 6-2, 6-2

2020 ATP Finals Hard RR Djokovic 6-3, 7-6 (7/4)

2021 ATP Cup Hard RR Djokovic 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 7-5

2021 Australian Open Hard QF Djokovic 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6)

2021 Olympics Hard SF Zverev 1-6, 6-3, 6-1

Medvedev leads 1-0

2018 Toronto Hard R32 Medvedev 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9/7)

Second seed Daniil Medvedev, a finalist here in 2019, takes on first-time semi-finalist and 12th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the other semi-final.

“You have to be perfect, otherwise you…

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