Australian Open 2025: Alexander Zverev vs Novak Djokovic preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Match Details

Fixture: (2) Alexander Zverev vs (7) Novak Djokovic

Date: January 24, 2025

Tournament: Australian Open 2025

Round: Semifinal

Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia

Category: Grand Slam

Surface: Hard (outdoor)

Prize Money: A$96,500,000

Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel, ESPN | UK - Eurosport | Canada - TSN, RDS

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Alexander Zverev vs Novak Djokovic preview

Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)

World No. 2 Alexander Zverev will take on 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Australian Open 2025.

Zverev didn't drop a set across his first three matches and scored comfortable wins over Lucas Pouille, Pedro Martinez, and Jacob Fearnley. He lost his first set of the tournament against 14th seed Ugo Humbert but bounced back to beat him 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Zverev was up against 12th seed Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals. The first two sets played out in the same way. The German overcame a break deficit, saved a set point, and crushed his opponent in the ensuing tie-break to take a two-set lead.

Paul got his act together to claim the third set but only delayed the inevitable. Zverev finished the match on a high and conceded only one game in the fourth set to register a 7-6 (1), 7-6 (0), 2-6, 6-1 win.

Djokovic's quest for a record 25th Major title commenced with four-set wins over Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria. He then beat top 30 players Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka in straight sets to book a quarterfinal showdown against Carlos Alcaraz.

Djokovic squandered his early break advantage and took a medical time-out toward the end of the first set, which he went on to lose. There were no lingering effects of the injury as the Serb similarly bagged the next two sets. He initially let go of his lead but broke Alcaraz's serve towards the end of the second and third sets to capture them.

The 37-year-old drew first blood once again in the fourth set and broke Alcaraz's serve in the very first game of the set. The latter had numerous chances to get back on serve but couldn't do so. Djokovic kept his nose in front until the end to score a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win.

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Alexander Zverev vs Novak Djokovic head-to-head

Djokovic leads Zverev 8-4 in the head-to-head. The Serb won their previous encounter at the Cincinnati Open 2023 in straight sets.

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Alexander Zverev vs Novak Djokovic odds

Player	Moneyline	Handicap Bets	Total Games
Alexander Zverev
Novak Djokovic

(Odds will be added once they're available)

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Alexander Zverev vs Novak Djokovic prediction

Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Djokovic read Alcaraz's serve with ease for most of the match and barely made any errors in the last couple of sets. He also exposed the Spaniard's backhand and set him up for failure by serving out wide quite often. While his movement was hampered at the start for which he took a time-out, his court coverage improved as the match went on.

Zverev had moments when he was on the backfoot but remained calm to score his first win over Paul and reach the semifinals here for the second year in a row. His biggest test awaits him in the next round.

Besides having an 8-4 advantage in this rivalry, Djokovic has also won all three of their meetings at the Majors, including one here four years ago. He also has a 5-1 lead in outdoor hardcourt matches. The Australian Open is his favorite hunting ground with 10 titles, and given his record against Zverev, the Serb should be able to progress to his 11th final in Melbourne.

Pick: Novak Djokovic to win in four sets.