31 July,2021 07:42 AM IST | Tokyo | AFP
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during his defeat to Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the semi-final yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic's bid for a calendar Golden Grand Slam was dramatically ended by Alexander Zverev in the Olympics men's singles semi-finals on Friday, with the World No. 1 saying the loss had left him feeling so terrible right.
Djokovic collapsed from a set and a break ahead as German fourth seed Zverev won 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 to set up a Sunday final against Russian Karen Khachanov.
"Tough day, a really tough day," said Djokovic, 34, who has never won the Olympic singles title.
The Serbian star had already captured the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon trophies this year and needed Olympic gold and the US Open crown to emulate Steffi Graf, who achieved the feat in 1988, by winning the Golden Slam. But his attempt to make history came to a close as Zverev powered 30 winners past the usually impregnable Djokovic in a stunning display.
"I was leading a set then a break and he managed to turn the match around, he served huge, was attacking, and I was not getting any free points on my first serves," bemoaned the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
"And I missed a lot of first serves from 3-2 in the second. To play someone of his quality, of his level, it's just too tough to win a match." It was yet more heartbreak for Djokovic at the Olympics, where his best result is a bronze medal in 2008.
Zverev is looking to become the first German to claim singles gold since Graf in Seoul. "It's incredible beating the best player in the world undoubtedly right now and in this season," said the World No. 5.
Djokovic's second chance to win a gold medal also evaporated later on Friday, as he and Nina Stojanovic lost their mixed doubles semi-final to Aslan Karatsev and Elena Vesnina 7-6, 7-5.
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